The Subjective Response to Life-Threatening Danger
Russell Noyes, Donald J. Slymen
OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying December 1, 1979 DOI: 10.2190/jrqf-246a-h847-m8yg (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Factor analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 189 |
| Population | Victims of life-threatening accidents |
| Citations | 74 |
| Key points | The authors report that subjective responses to life-threatening accidents cluster into three factors: depersonalization, hyperalertness, and mystical consciousness, which they interpret as the endangered personality's effort to cope with a threat to life. Perceived serious threat, loss of consciousness, rescue efforts, and age influenced how frequently certain effects were reported. |
Abstract
A factor analysis of questionnaire responses from 189 victims of life-threatening accidents yielded three factors of subjective effects. These factors, which included depersonalization, hyperalertness and mystical consciousness, appeared meaningful in terms of the endangered personality's effort to cope with a threat to life. Perception of a serious threat, loss of consciousness, and rescue efforts influenced the frequency with which certain effects were reported. Age likewise influenced the reporting of a number of effects.