EVANGELICAL RELIGION AND MEDITATION: PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC EFFECTS
The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease October 1, 1978 DOI: 10.1097/00005053-197810000-00001 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study using a multiple choice questionnaire, with case examples from psychiatric interviews Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 119 |
| Population | Members of the Divine Light Mission religious sect |
| Duration | Average of 21 months of membership |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Citations | 68 |
| Key findings | Members reported a significant decline in neurotic symptoms and in alcohol and drug use after joining the sect, and this lower incidence persisted over an average of 21 months of membership. Symptom decline correlated significantly with group-related activities and attitudes and with aspects of the ritual meditation. The authors discuss these findings in relation to psychotherapy. |
Abstract
Members of a religious sect, the Divine Light Mission, were evaluated for psychological effects of their experience in the group, in order to study systematically the psychotherapeutic effect of evangelical religious experience. Responses given by 119 members to a multiple choice questionnaire reflected a significant decline in the incidence of neurotic symptoms and of alcohol and drug use, from the period prior to joining to that immediately after joining. This lower incidence persisted over the course of membership, an average of 21 months. Responses relating to ritual meditation indicated frequent transcendent experiences. Symptom decline was found to correlate significantly with group-related activities and attitudes, and with specific aspects of the ritual meditation. Case examples are given from a group of subjects who were given psychiatric interviews in order to clarify the nature of the psychological effects. These findings are discussed with regard to their implications for psychotherapy.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on meditation, most cited first.