Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 8, No. 2, 2009, Page 14
Figure 3. Psychological Distress by Method of Exit (Walked Away or Counseled)
and Contact or Not with Cult Awareness Associations
Most of our participants walked away from the group by themselves or did so following a
period of personal reflection, due, in the main, to a sense of disenchantment or their
appreciation of inconsistencies between the doctrine and the group‘s ideals and its actual
practices, as well as their becoming aware of deceit. Other reasons for their leaving that
seem to be important were the imposition of certain norms and restrictive ways of behaving
that might even become abusive. Therefore, it appears that, among the reasons for leaving
that the former members referred to, the greatest importance is given to those reasons that
related to the former members‘ growing perception of manipulative practices and
contradictions. This item is followed in importance by factors that affected how they led
their lives as members of the group, or that resulted in their suffering abuse. In all
likelihood, the personal betrayal that some former members felt when they realized they
Figure 3. Psychological Distress by Method of Exit (Walked Away or Counseled)
and Contact or Not with Cult Awareness Associations
Most of our participants walked away from the group by themselves or did so following a
period of personal reflection, due, in the main, to a sense of disenchantment or their
appreciation of inconsistencies between the doctrine and the group‘s ideals and its actual
practices, as well as their becoming aware of deceit. Other reasons for their leaving that
seem to be important were the imposition of certain norms and restrictive ways of behaving
that might even become abusive. Therefore, it appears that, among the reasons for leaving
that the former members referred to, the greatest importance is given to those reasons that
related to the former members‘ growing perception of manipulative practices and
contradictions. This item is followed in importance by factors that affected how they led
their lives as members of the group, or that resulted in their suffering abuse. In all
likelihood, the personal betrayal that some former members felt when they realized they
