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Exorcism-seekers: clinical and personality correlates Buch, Wes
Abstract
Abstract This study was a case control field investigation of a special population. The psychodiagnostic and personality correlates of 40 Christian Charismatic exorcism-seekers were compared to the correlates of 40 matched c2ntrols and 48 randomly selected controls. The study was guided by a central research question: how do exorcism-seekers differ from similar individuals who do not seek exorcism? Two theoretiäal approaches to demonic possession and exorcism anticipated different answers. A mental illness approach anticipated the report of certain forms of clinical distress among exorcism-seekers. A social role approach anticipated the report of certain personality traits that would facilitate the effective enactment of the demoniac role. Results supported the mental illness approach to demonic possession inasmuch as numerous between-group diagnostic differences achieved statistical significance, especially mood disturbance. The exorcism-seeker’s group produced a modal dependent-avoidant personality disorder profile, although schizoid features best distinguished between exorcism-seekers and control subjects. However, half of the sample did not report significant psychological distress. A cognitive-behavioral model of demonic possession of relevance to both distressed and non-distressed exorcism-seekers was therefore proposed. Treatment implications included a discussion of special treatment problems and collaboration between members of the clergy and the health care professions.
Item Metadata
Title |
Exorcism-seekers: clinical and personality correlates
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Creator | |
Publisher |
University of British Columbia
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Date Issued |
1994
|
Description |
Abstract
This study was a case control field investigation of a special population.
The psychodiagnostic and personality correlates of 40 Christian
Charismatic exorcism-seekers were compared to the correlates of 40
matched c2ntrols and 48 randomly selected controls. The study was
guided by a central research question: how do exorcism-seekers differ
from similar individuals who do not seek exorcism? Two theoretiäal
approaches to demonic possession and exorcism anticipated different
answers. A mental illness approach anticipated the report of certain
forms of clinical distress among exorcism-seekers. A social role
approach anticipated the report of certain personality traits that would
facilitate the effective enactment of the demoniac role. Results supported
the mental illness approach to demonic possession inasmuch as
numerous between-group diagnostic differences achieved statistical
significance, especially mood disturbance. The exorcism-seeker’s group
produced a modal dependent-avoidant personality disorder profile,
although schizoid features best distinguished between exorcism-seekers
and control subjects. However, half of the sample did not report
significant psychological distress. A cognitive-behavioral model of
demonic possession of relevance to both distressed and non-distressed
exorcism-seekers was therefore proposed. Treatment implications
included a discussion of special treatment problems and collaboration
between members of the clergy and the health care professions.
|
Extent |
5769439 bytes
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Genre | |
Type | |
File Format |
application/pdf
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Language |
eng
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Date Available |
2009-04-08
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Provider |
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
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Rights |
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.
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DOI |
10.14288/1.0076838
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URI | |
Degree | |
Program | |
Affiliation | |
Degree Grantor |
University of British Columbia
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Graduation Date |
1994-05
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Campus | |
Scholarly Level |
Graduate
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Aggregated Source Repository |
DSpace
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Item Media
Item Citations and Data
Rights
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.