This article is an electronic version of an article originally published in Cultic Studies Journal, 1989, Volume 6, Number 1, pages . Please keep in mind that the pagination of this electronic reprint differs from that of the bound volume. This fact could affect how you enter bibliographic information in papers that you may write.

Family Responses to a Young Adult’s Cult Membership and Return

Lorna Goldberg, M.S.W., A.C.S.W.
N.J. Institute
William Goldberg, M.S.W., A.C.S.W
Community Support Center, Pomona, NY

Abstract
 

This article deals with the process of a young adult child's cult involvement and return from the family's perspective. Four overlapping stages characterize the responses of most families: ignorance or denial, recognition, exploration, and action. The family's emotional reactions while the cultist is in the cult as well as out of the cult are discussed as are treatment considerations. Also briefly discussed are situations involving adult children with parents in a cult and the effects of parents' cult membership on young children.

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