Trait absorption, altered meaning, and mood disturbance during shamanic-like journeying: Moderator and indirect effects analyses
Transpersonal Psychology Review 2009 DOI: 10.53841/bpstran.2009.13.2.64 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 61 |
| Population | Non-shamans |
| Duration | 15-minute session |
| Measures | total mood disturbance (instrument not specified) |
| Topics | Shamanism |
| Key findings | Altered meaning moderated the effect of condition on total mood disturbance, and mood disturbance was negatively correlated with altered meaning only in the shamanic-like journeying condition. Trait absorption correlated with altered meaning in both conditions, and an indirect effect from absorption to mood disturbance through altered meaning was significant for the journeying group. |
Abstract
Previous studies have linked shamanic practices to high levels of altered personal meaning and reductions in mood disturbance. However, these studies have neglected to investigate whether the effect of shamanic stimulus conditions on mood disturbance is moderated by altered meaning. Moreover, previous research has not evaluated whether, during shamanic journeying, there exists an indirect effect from various personality traits (e.g. absorption ability) to mood disturbance through altered meaning. The present study, therefore, aimed to address these issues. Sixty-one non-shamans were randomly assigned to either a shamanic-like journeying condition (visualisation while listening to monotonous drumming for 15 minutes) or a control condition (sitting quietly with eyes open for 15 minutes). As predicted, altered meaning significantly moderated the effect of condition on total mood disturbance. Further, total mood disturbance was negatively correlated with altered meaning, and this correlation was significant for the shamanic-like journeying condition, but not for the control condition. Unexpectedly, trait absorption was positively correlated with altered meaning for both the shamanic-like journeying condition and the control condition. Finally, in line with expectations, for the shamanic-like group, a significant indirect effect was found from trait absorption to total mood disturbance through altered meaning. It is concluded that altered meaning is an important state variable which appears to reduce mood disturbance during shamanic-like journeying.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on shamanism, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ego Boundaries, Shamanic‐Like Techniques, and Subjective Experience: An Experimental Study Non-shamans | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 43 |
| Shamanic Imagery and Ritual Experience: An Empirical Study of Emotions, Beliefs, and States of Consciousness Participants recruited for a shamanic ritual experiment | 2025 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 30 |
| Experimental Study of Ostensibly Shamanic Journeying Imagery in Naïve Participants II: Phenomenological Mapping and Modified Affect Bridge Naive participants | 2006 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 68 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
Cites 10
- Phenomenological experience in response to monotonous drumming and hypnotizability. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis October 1, 1997
- Does the Concept of “Altered States of Consciousness” Rest on a Mistake? International Journal of Transpersonal Studies 2007
- Phenomenological Mapping and Comparisons of Shamanic, Buddhist, Yogic, and Schizophrenic Experiences Journal of the American Academy of Religion 1993
- The nature of the shamanic state of consciousness: a review. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 1989
- Ego Boundaries, Shamanic‐Like Techniques, and Subjective Experience: An Experimental Study Anthropology of Consciousness May 1, 2008
and 5 more in the library