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.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:BVAU.2429/6987 |
| Date | 05 1900 |
| Creators | Buch, Wes |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Relation | UBC Retrospective Theses Digitization Project [http://www.library.ubc.ca/archives/retro_theses/] |
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