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Are Cultic Environments
Psychologically Harmful?
Jodi Aronoff McKibben, M.S.
Steven Jay Lynn, Ph.D.
Peter Malinoski, Ph.D.
Abstract
This article is the first critical review of research that addresses the
question of whether cult membership is psychologically harmful. The available
evidence warrants three conclusions: (a) persons entering cults do not
necessarily exhibit psychopathology; (b) current cult members appear
psychologically well-adjusted generally, and demonstrate few conspicuous
symptoms of psychopathology. However, pathology may be masked by conformity
pressures and demand characteristics associated with the cultic environment; (c)
a small but growing body of research indicates that at least a substantial
minority of former cult members experience significant adjustment difficulties.
There also are indications that these difficulties cannot be ascribed to demand
characteristics. Although the review highlights definitional and methodological
issues and problems that temper conclusions that can be drawn from the
literature, no evidence indicates that cults improve adjustment after members
leave the cultic environment.
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