Mystical experience and emotional wellbeing: a study among Australian church leaders
Leslie J. Francis, R. Powell, A. Village
Journal of Beliefs and Values May 13, 2020 DOI: 10.1080/13617672.2020.1762397 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1,266 |
| Population | Australian church leaders |
| Measures | Eysenck Neuroticism Scale, Francis-Louden Mystical Orientation Scale |
| Topics | Mystical experience |
| Key findings | Among 1,266 Australian church leaders, scores on the Francis-Louden Mystical Orientation Scale showed no significant correlation with scores on the Eysenck Neuroticism Scale, suggesting no association between mystical experience and emotional wellbeing in this sample. |
Abstract
ABSTRACT The psychological and pathological correlates of mystical experience have been debated since the early days of the psychology of religion. In the present study the association between mystical experience and emotional wellbeing was tested among 1,266 Australian church leaders who completed the Eysenck Neuroticism Scale alongside the Francis-Louden Mystical Orientation Scale. No significant correlation was reported between the two variables.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on mystical experience, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neural correlates of a mystical experience in Carmelite nuns Carmelite nuns | 2006 | Observational cohort | |
| EEG activity in Carmelite nuns during a mystical experience Carmelite nuns | 2008 | Observational cohort | n = 14 |
| Neural correlates of mystical experience Vietnam veterans with penetrating traumatic brain injury and matched healthy controls | 2015 | Observational cohort | n = 148 |
| The Peak Experience Variable in DPT-Assisted Psychotherapy with Cancer Patients Cancer patients | 1977 | Observational study | n = 128 |
| Psilocybin-Induced Mystical-Type Experiences are Related to Persisting Positive Effects: A Quantitative and Qualitative Report Healthy volunteers | 2022 | Observational cohort | n = 28 |