The psychological development and consequences of involvement with new religious movements

Dubrow-Marshall, LJ ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4092-6599 and Dubrow-Marshall, R ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6916-0780 2017, 'The psychological development and consequences of involvement with new religious movements' , in: New Religious Movements and Counselling : Academic, Professional and Personal Perspectives , Routledge Inform Series on Minority Religions and Spiritual Movements , Routledge / Taylor & Francis, Abingdon, pp. 80-95.

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Abstract

The loss of self and self-identity present as common issues for former members of new religious movements seeking help after leaving – the huge gain and importance of the group and belief system is replaced with an understanding that much of what was considered highly sacred is now profane, that who I was is no longer who I am, that the search for freedom and meaning is never ending after all (Fromm, 1941). This loss of confidence and trust in others and in oneself presents difficulties for therapists and psychologists in establishing an authentic psychotherapeutic relationship with clients who have left a group which has dominated their lives, identities and personalities (Singer, 2003). The psychological journey from ecstasy to agony, from addiction to withdrawal, leads to psychopathology such as depression, dissociation and anxiety that is group related (Dubrow-Marshall & Martin, 2008). Evidence suggests that early interventions to help members and groups who are facing boundary issues over the extent of the group’s involvement in members’ day to day lives and the ability of members to think ‘outside the group’, will assist in reducing the occurrence of group related psychopathology and will lead to healthier groups, individuals and family relationships.

Item Type:	Book Section
Editors:	Harvey, S, Steidinger, S and Beckford, JA
Schools:	Schools > School of Health and Society > Centre for Applied Research in Health, Welfare and Policy Schools > School of Health and Society > Centre for Health Sciences Research
Publisher:	Routledge / Taylor & Francis
Series Name:	Routledge Inform Series on Minority Religions and Spiritual Movements
ISBN:	9781472472717
Depositing User:	Dr Linda Dubrow-Marshall
Date Deposited:	07 Mar 2018 09:52
Last Modified:	16 Feb 2022 18:38
URI:	https://usir.salford.ac.uk/id/eprint/46196

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