Cults and mental health (chapter 153)

Dubrow-Marshall, R; Dubrow-Marshall, LJ

Abstract

Definitions for cultic and high demand groups are explicated, and characteristics are delineated, including Lifton's seminal research on thought reform. Literature is reviewed about common mental health issues which have been found to be associated with the experience of having been in a cultic/high demand/abusive group, including depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress, and dissociation, and the specialist treatment approaches which have been efficacious, including psychoeducational interventions to understand the processes of coercive persuasion and undue influence. Characteristics of cults and mental health in other organisations is considered with recommendations for ethical organisational practice and recovery.

Citation

Dubrow-Marshall, R., & Dubrow-Marshall, L. (2015). Cults and mental health (chapter 153). In H. Friedman (Ed.), Encyclopedia of mental health, Second edition (393-401). Oxford: Academic Press (Elsevier). https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-397045-9.00153-1

• Acceptance Date: Dec 11, 2014
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2015
• Deposit Date: Dec 16, 2015
• Pages: 393-401
• Book Title: Encyclopedia of mental health, Second edition
• ISBN: 9780123977533
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-397045-9.00153-1
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-397045-9.00153-1
• Related Public URLs: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/referenceworks/9780123977533
• Additional Information: Access Information : Copyright 2016 US Government