Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 1, No. 1, 2002, Page 32
variables related to pre-cult history and adjustment, cult-related experiences, and post-cult
history. A multiple regression research design was used to evaluate the relative
contributions of the variables under investigation to post-cult distress. The Winocur article
mentioned above also reports on this aspect of these studies.
Data from the AFF questionnaire from which the GPA Scale was derived await analyses and
reporting by Dr. Langone and colleagues. This questionnaire explored subjects‘
psychological and social history, background variables related to cult joining, characteristics
of the group environment, subjects‘ responses to the cult experience, subjects‘ post-group
experiences (including recovery), and subjects‘ evaluations of helping resources.
Dr. Arthur Dole has written a methodological paper, published in Cultic Studies Journal,
12(2), 1995, explaining how to apply case study methodology to the cult area. Over the
next few years, AFF would like to enlist the support of clinicians in this field to conduct a
series of case studies using Dr. Dole‘s methodology.
Although considerable research has been conducted, much more research is needed to
adequately answer this question.
What is the prevalence of membership in psychologically abusive groups and how many
such groups are there in the United States?
The first research-planning meeting decided that existing prevalence data are sufficient for
current research purposes and that a full-scale epidemiological study on cultic groups would
be an inappropriate use of limited resources at this time. It was decided, however, that
surveys of professional populations (e.g., clergy, psychologists), such as Dr. Edward
Lottick‘s survey of primary care physicians [Lottick, E.A. (Feb. 1993). Survey reveals
physicians‘s experiences with cults. Pennsylvania Medicine, 96, 26-28 --available from
AFF], would provide useful data at relatively low cost (and would also contribute to
professional education). Such surveys will be conducted as funds allow.
Scientifically determining the number of psychologically abusive groups, or cults, in the U.S.
is a daunting task. Perhaps the most feasible approach would be to compile a
comprehensive list of groups about which AFF receives inquiries, select a random sample
from this list, and conduct in-depth studies of this sample, using when possible the GPA
Scale and/or other scales to be developed in the future. This study would enable us to make
reasonable and empirically based generalizations about the broad population of groups we
receive inquiries on (e.g., what percentage appears to be abusive). This study obviously will
require considerable funding.
AFF believes that if we could develop an effective and efficient survey instrument, colleges
and universities could use this instrument to help them assess cult-related problems on
their campuses. Dr. Russell Eleven‘s research, which was published in Cultic Studies
Journal, 15(1), 1998, has laid the groundwork for the development of such a measure. This
research would be enhanced if a survey instrument with practical educational uses were
developed.
What is the relationship between person, group, and treatment variables and
amelioration in post-group distress?
Currently, the most thorough outcome evaluation of psychological treatment for former
group members is that of Dr. Paul Martin and his colleagues at Wellspring Retreat and
Resource Center, published in Cultic Studies Journal, 9(2), 1992. Although controlled
outcome studies are obviously preferred, such studies require considerable funding. In the
meantime, the state of knowledge would be advanced if other clinicians in this field
attempted to evaluate treatment effectiveness using standardized pre- and post-measures,
as Wellspring does.
variables related to pre-cult history and adjustment, cult-related experiences, and post-cult
history. A multiple regression research design was used to evaluate the relative
contributions of the variables under investigation to post-cult distress. The Winocur article
mentioned above also reports on this aspect of these studies.
Data from the AFF questionnaire from which the GPA Scale was derived await analyses and
reporting by Dr. Langone and colleagues. This questionnaire explored subjects‘
psychological and social history, background variables related to cult joining, characteristics
of the group environment, subjects‘ responses to the cult experience, subjects‘ post-group
experiences (including recovery), and subjects‘ evaluations of helping resources.
Dr. Arthur Dole has written a methodological paper, published in Cultic Studies Journal,
12(2), 1995, explaining how to apply case study methodology to the cult area. Over the
next few years, AFF would like to enlist the support of clinicians in this field to conduct a
series of case studies using Dr. Dole‘s methodology.
Although considerable research has been conducted, much more research is needed to
adequately answer this question.
What is the prevalence of membership in psychologically abusive groups and how many
such groups are there in the United States?
The first research-planning meeting decided that existing prevalence data are sufficient for
current research purposes and that a full-scale epidemiological study on cultic groups would
be an inappropriate use of limited resources at this time. It was decided, however, that
surveys of professional populations (e.g., clergy, psychologists), such as Dr. Edward
Lottick‘s survey of primary care physicians [Lottick, E.A. (Feb. 1993). Survey reveals
physicians‘s experiences with cults. Pennsylvania Medicine, 96, 26-28 --available from
AFF], would provide useful data at relatively low cost (and would also contribute to
professional education). Such surveys will be conducted as funds allow.
Scientifically determining the number of psychologically abusive groups, or cults, in the U.S.
is a daunting task. Perhaps the most feasible approach would be to compile a
comprehensive list of groups about which AFF receives inquiries, select a random sample
from this list, and conduct in-depth studies of this sample, using when possible the GPA
Scale and/or other scales to be developed in the future. This study would enable us to make
reasonable and empirically based generalizations about the broad population of groups we
receive inquiries on (e.g., what percentage appears to be abusive). This study obviously will
require considerable funding.
AFF believes that if we could develop an effective and efficient survey instrument, colleges
and universities could use this instrument to help them assess cult-related problems on
their campuses. Dr. Russell Eleven‘s research, which was published in Cultic Studies
Journal, 15(1), 1998, has laid the groundwork for the development of such a measure. This
research would be enhanced if a survey instrument with practical educational uses were
developed.
What is the relationship between person, group, and treatment variables and
amelioration in post-group distress?
Currently, the most thorough outcome evaluation of psychological treatment for former
group members is that of Dr. Paul Martin and his colleagues at Wellspring Retreat and
Resource Center, published in Cultic Studies Journal, 9(2), 1992. Although controlled
outcome studies are obviously preferred, such studies require considerable funding. In the
meantime, the state of knowledge would be advanced if other clinicians in this field
attempted to evaluate treatment effectiveness using standardized pre- and post-measures,
as Wellspring does.
