Religious/spiritual abuse and trauma: A systematic review of the empirical literature.

Ellis, Heidi M.; Hook, Joshua N.; Zuniga, Sabrina; Hodge, Adam S.; Ford, Kristy; Davis, Don E.; Tongeren, Daryl R. Van

doi:10.1037/scp0000301

Cited by 21 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…For Franz, the German JW deconvert, we documented low levels of well-being after leaving, as well as a deconversion narrative in which he portrays himself as a victim, neglecting his former role as a member active in teaching and pastoral care (Keller et al, 2013, p. 121). As a result, clinicians may meet a highly selected population of people who present religious trauma due to abusive dynamics which, however, can develop not only in NRMs but also in mainstream denominations and in privately organized groups (Ellis et al, 2022).…”

Section: Moving Toward a Global Paradigm Or Perspective?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Deconversion from High-tension Religious Groups

Keller¹,

Bullik²,

Streib³

2023

Preprint

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This chapter addresses emotional, cognitive, and biographical changes related to processes of deconversion, or leaving a religious organization – with special attention to exiting high-tension groups. We review predictors of deconversion as well as short-term and long-term changes in psychological well-being and growth. Drawing on our own longitudinal research, we discuss impacts on individuals’ consecutive autobiographical narratives and psychometric profiles. Research documents various trajectories for conversion as well as for deconversion. Those can be understood by (1) attending to development across the human life-span situated in historical and geographical context and (2) identifying general trends as well as particularities. A cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural perspective on deconversion from high-tension groups is useful because vocabularies are used in different ways in different relevant fields of science and application and, in addition, in different cultural contexts. The chapter closes by proposing an interdisciplinary and global research paradigm and with an outlook on leaving high tension groups and disaffiliating from high tension worldviews.

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Section: Moving Toward a Global Paradigm Or Perspective?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Deconversion from High-tension Religious Groups

Keller¹,

Bullik²,

Streib³

2023

Preprint

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“…The act of making people believe -whether by stating or merely implying -that they are going to be punished in this life and/or tormented in hell-fire forever for failure to live life good enough to please God and thus earn admission to heaven. (Purcell 1998:227) Abuse including spiritual abuse causes trauma (Ellis et al 2022). The impact and outcomes of trauma are significant.…”

Section: The Effects Of Hellish Teachingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hell: Educationally in post-secular societies

Firth

2023

Verbum Eccles.

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Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: In the context of the secular and/or non-religious public reflex in society, there is a tension on the place of religious thought in secular educational settings. As scrutiny increases of what, and how, religious material is shared and taught, especially to children, the role and place of hell in this space must be reviewed. This study provides a basis for Practical Theology in post-secular societies, utilising the Australian context, to do so.

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“…Although most research has focused on the benefits or importance of R/S, it is also important to explore how R/S can be implemented in a harmful or traumatic way. Thus, the purpose of the present study is to explore the potential relationship between R/S abuse (Ellis et al, 2022) and psychological and spiritual functioning.…”

Section: Defining R/smentioning

confidence: 99%

Religious/spiritual abuse and psychological and spiritual functioning.

Ellis,

Hook,

Freund

et al. 2023

Spirituality in Clinical Practice

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Religious and spiritual (R/S) abuse has been associated with a wide range of negative psychological and spiritual outcomes. However, few studies consider the potential impact of other experiences of trauma and abuse that individuals may have experienced in addition to R/S abuse. The present study examined the extent to which R/S abuse is associated with R/S struggles and trauma-related symptoms when controlling for other experiences of trauma and abuse. Participants were 308 adults who reported a current or prior R/S identity. Results suggest that R/S abuse was significantly associated with psychological and spiritual functioning over and above other experiences of trauma participants. We conclude by discussing the limitations of the present study, areas for future research, and clinical implications.

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Religious/spiritual abuse and trauma: A systematic review of the empirical literature.

Cited by 21 publications

References 31 publications

Deconversion from High-tension Religious Groups

Deconversion from High-tension Religious Groups

Hell: Educationally in post-secular societies

Religious/spiritual abuse and psychological and spiritual functioning.

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