[Brief report].Psychologists’ knowledge of and attitudes about near-death experiences: Changes over time and relationship to transpersonal self-concept.

Abstract

We conducted a comparison and extension of Walker and Russell’s (1989) study of psychologists’ knowledge of and attitudes about near-death experiences (NDEs). We used their Near-Death Phenomena Knowledge and Attitudes Questionnaire (NDPKAQ), consisting of one knowledge scale and two attitude scales, to explore possible changes over time. We also used the SelfExpansiveness Level Form—Transpersonal Scale (SELF-TS; Friedman, 1983) to explore the relationship of transpersonal self-concept with knowledge of and attitudes about NDEs. We randomly surveyed 84 psychologists listed in the Washington state National Register and obtained 18 completed responses (61% male, 39% female; mean age 60 years; ethnicity unknown). The comparison of Cheryl Fracasso, M.S., is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Saybrook University. She serves as adjunct faculty member for the University of Phoenix; Research Assistant at Saybrook University with Stanley Krippner, Ph.D.; and Associate Managing Editor of the International Journal of Transpersonal Studies. Harris Friedman, Ph.D., is a practicing clinical and organizational psychologist who was affiliated with Walden University at the time of the study; he now is Research Professor (Retired) of Psychology at the University of Florida, Professor Emeritus at Saybrook University, Senior Editor of the International Journal of Transpersonal Studies, and Associate Editor of The Humanistic Psychologist. M. Scott Young, Ph.D., is Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Mental Health Law and Policy at the University of South Florida. Correspondence regarding this article should be sent to Ms. Fracasso; email: cherylfracasso@hotmail.com. 274 joURNAL oF NEAR-DEATH STUDiES our NDPKAQ data with Walker and Russell’s illinois psychologists’ data suggests psychologists’ knowledge and attitudes about NDEs have remained unchanged over the past two decades (p > .05). Two of the three NDPKAQ scale scores correlated significantly with the SELF-TS scores (p = .03, .05), suggesting a positive relationship between transpersonal self-concept and knowledge of and attitudes towards NDEs. We discuss limitations of our results and implications of our findings for professional education and training on NDEs. KEY WoRDS: near-death experience, self-concept, transpersonal, education, training Recent medical advances have greatly increased survival rates after accidents and diseases, which in turn have concomitantly increased near-death experiences (NDEs). For example, with improved resuscitation techniques, the average incidence of NDEs among people who have survived a close brush with death has been 35% in retrospective studies and 17% in prospective studies (Zingrone & Alvarado, 2009, p. 36). in addition, the public is increasingly exposed to NDEs through popular media, such as the recent National Public Radio series, The Science of Spirituality (see http://www.npr.org/templates/ story/story.php?storyid=110997741). Furthermore, clinical training on NDEs for U.S. physicians and nurses is increasing (Cunico, 2001; Greyson, 1997; Hayes & orne, 1990; Hayes & Waters, 1989; Lawrence & Duggal, 2001; McVoy, 1990; Moore, 1994; Sheeler, 2005; Thornburg, 1988). However, we know of no comparable efforts for helping mental health professionals keep up with the burgeoning knowledge related to NDEs. We located only one study, conducted over two decades ago, assessing NDE knowledge and attitudes in a sample of psychologists (Walker & Russell, 1989). Consequently, we conducted a follow-up of that study to explore whether any changes had occurred since the original. We also extended the original study by including a transpersonal measure, hypothesizing that participants higher in transpersonal self-concept would know more about and hold more favorable attitudes toward NDEs, as we speculated that transpersonal self-concept could become a salient focus for training of mental health professionals to foster more openness to the worth of NDEs. Mental Health Implications of NDEs The results of many studies suggest that near-death experiencers (NDErs) often have negative post-NDE consequences that lead to di-