International Journal of Cultic Studies ■ Vol. 9, 2018 45
especially panic anxiety disorder, and feelings of
guilt. Forty-seven percent of the 43 participants
had had symptoms similar to psychotic
symptoms, and almost 25 percent of them had
tried to commit suicide. The study participants
were recruited mainly from a support group.
In a study with 61 former members of the CUT,
Gasde and Block (1998) found that former cult
members had more psychological problems than
the normal population. These problems
decreased as a function of the time that had
passed since the former members had defected.
There was no correlation between the level of
psychological problems and length of time each
was a member of the group. The authors argued
that it was not only the defection itself that
might have been a cause of psychological
distress, but also the individuals’ experiences
during the time spent as members of the group.
In addition to psychological well-being, the
personality traits of former cult members have
also been subject to analyses. Walsh, Russell,
and Wells (1995) found that former cult
members had higher levels of neuroticism,
sociotropy, and autonomy than the normal
population. However, the results of another
study (Gasde &Block, 1998) did not support
these findings. Walsh et al. (1995) found no
correlation between the length of membership in
the group and any personality traits. However,
their results showed that the level of neuroticism
decreased as a function of the time that had
passed since the defection. Psychological well-
being and personality traits are indeed different
areas personality traits are usually considered to
be constant, but the personality trait of
neuroticism might have similarities to
psychological distress, which may occur more
intermittently.
Psychological Distress Among Former
Cult Members Related to Experiences in
the Group
Gasde and Block (1998) found that, among the
former members of the CUT, those who reported
the highest level of experienced psychological
abuse as measured with the GPA scale were not
necessarily those who had the most
psychological problems. However, Winocur-
Craig (1995) found a positive correlation
between the level of psychological distress of
participants and their scores on the Cult
Experience Index (CEI), an instrument that
measures the degree of control the group and its
leaders have had in an individual's life. The
results of data from 75 former cult members
from different religious groups showed that
those who reported high levels of cult tendencies
in their groups had more psychological
problems.
Former Cult Members and Healthcare
As mentioned earlier, most researchers agree
that former cult members have more
psychological problems than the normal
population (Aronoff et al., 2000). Despite this
fact, it is often difficult for those former
members to get appropriate help from the
healthcare sector (Järvå, 2009). Many former
cult members report psychological problems that
are similar to those of people who have been
subjects of brainwashing or mind control
(Robbins &Anthony, 1982). According to Järvå,
former cult members are sometimes classified as
psychotic because they may have, among other
symptoms, thoughts that are similar to psychotic
thoughts, although those thoughts are just
reflections of the doctrines in the group
(Swartling &Swartling, 1992). Järvå has argued
that former cult members’ symptoms should
instead be classified as trauma symptoms. The
treatments for psychosis and trauma are very
different, and the wrong treatment may
aggravate the symptoms (Järvå, 2009). This fact
points to the need for better diagnoses in this
patient group.
Purpose of This Study
Many studies concerning psychological well-
being among current members of religious and
cultic groups have been completed. However,
less research has been undertaken with former
cult members and on factors that may influence
their psychological health. Findings from
previous research that suggest former cult
members have more psychological problems
than other individuals (Aronoff et al, 2000
Buxant &Saroglou, 2008 Gasde &Block,
1998) spark interest in investigating the
psychological well-being among former cult
especially panic anxiety disorder, and feelings of
guilt. Forty-seven percent of the 43 participants
had had symptoms similar to psychotic
symptoms, and almost 25 percent of them had
tried to commit suicide. The study participants
were recruited mainly from a support group.
In a study with 61 former members of the CUT,
Gasde and Block (1998) found that former cult
members had more psychological problems than
the normal population. These problems
decreased as a function of the time that had
passed since the former members had defected.
There was no correlation between the level of
psychological problems and length of time each
was a member of the group. The authors argued
that it was not only the defection itself that
might have been a cause of psychological
distress, but also the individuals’ experiences
during the time spent as members of the group.
In addition to psychological well-being, the
personality traits of former cult members have
also been subject to analyses. Walsh, Russell,
and Wells (1995) found that former cult
members had higher levels of neuroticism,
sociotropy, and autonomy than the normal
population. However, the results of another
study (Gasde &Block, 1998) did not support
these findings. Walsh et al. (1995) found no
correlation between the length of membership in
the group and any personality traits. However,
their results showed that the level of neuroticism
decreased as a function of the time that had
passed since the defection. Psychological well-
being and personality traits are indeed different
areas personality traits are usually considered to
be constant, but the personality trait of
neuroticism might have similarities to
psychological distress, which may occur more
intermittently.
Psychological Distress Among Former
Cult Members Related to Experiences in
the Group
Gasde and Block (1998) found that, among the
former members of the CUT, those who reported
the highest level of experienced psychological
abuse as measured with the GPA scale were not
necessarily those who had the most
psychological problems. However, Winocur-
Craig (1995) found a positive correlation
between the level of psychological distress of
participants and their scores on the Cult
Experience Index (CEI), an instrument that
measures the degree of control the group and its
leaders have had in an individual's life. The
results of data from 75 former cult members
from different religious groups showed that
those who reported high levels of cult tendencies
in their groups had more psychological
problems.
Former Cult Members and Healthcare
As mentioned earlier, most researchers agree
that former cult members have more
psychological problems than the normal
population (Aronoff et al., 2000). Despite this
fact, it is often difficult for those former
members to get appropriate help from the
healthcare sector (Järvå, 2009). Many former
cult members report psychological problems that
are similar to those of people who have been
subjects of brainwashing or mind control
(Robbins &Anthony, 1982). According to Järvå,
former cult members are sometimes classified as
psychotic because they may have, among other
symptoms, thoughts that are similar to psychotic
thoughts, although those thoughts are just
reflections of the doctrines in the group
(Swartling &Swartling, 1992). Järvå has argued
that former cult members’ symptoms should
instead be classified as trauma symptoms. The
treatments for psychosis and trauma are very
different, and the wrong treatment may
aggravate the symptoms (Järvå, 2009). This fact
points to the need for better diagnoses in this
patient group.
Purpose of This Study
Many studies concerning psychological well-
being among current members of religious and
cultic groups have been completed. However,
less research has been undertaken with former
cult members and on factors that may influence
their psychological health. Findings from
previous research that suggest former cult
members have more psychological problems
than other individuals (Aronoff et al, 2000
Buxant &Saroglou, 2008 Gasde &Block,
1998) spark interest in investigating the
psychological well-being among former cult
