Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 14, No. 1, 1997, page 87
problem, although it may be minor in nature” (p. 20). He draws the conclusion that the rate
of mental illness and suicide in the Witness population is above the average rate found in
the general population. In addition, the fact that all of the respondents in this study
reported better mental health after leaving the organization indicates that they are not just
“people with problems” who would have difficulty in any setting. Their mental status as a
whole improved dramatically after leaving the group.
Another important question that needs to be addressed is the question of whether
emotionally unstable people are attracted to WTS in order to create a sense of stability (by
adopting a rigid external locus of control) in their lives, thus raising the rate of mental
illness in the group as a whole. A very interesting future study would be one that compared
mental illness rates and rates of exit from the group between adult converts versus those
raised in the religion. It would also be helpful to use standardized measures of psychological
distress in future studies.
The primary difficulty in getting a full picture of the actual rate of mental illness in WTS is
that Jehovah‟s Witnesses are generally unwilling to participate in research by outsiders, or
“worldly people.” Even though some individuals might consent to participate in impartial
studies, it would be impossible to rule out the fatally contaminating effect of the pressure to
present themselves as “the happiest people on earth.” It is vital to WTS‟s identity that
members present themselves as better than and happier than the rest of the world in order
to bolster the rationale for potential converts to join. To illustrate this attitude, The
Watchtower states that “the incomparable „peace of God‟ is an unusual tranquility enjoyed
by Jehovah‟s dedicated servants even in the most trying situations…. We are not
overwhelmed by anxiety, for we know that Jehovah makes all of his faithful people „dwell in
security‟ (“Throw All Your,” 1994, p. 22). The same issue of The Watchtower goes on to
point out that “their good reputation is precious to them because it honors their heavenly
Father and can help to draw others to their way of life and to their God, Jehovah” (“If You
Owe,” 1994, p. 28).
Despite the inherent difficulties in studying a group such as this, the results of this study
indicate that this group of women experienced positive social and mental health benefits
upon leaving WTS. In general, the women in this survey reported an increase in equality in
their relationships with the men in their lives after exiting the organization. In addition,
after leaving, these women as a whole reported substantially better psychological
adjustment, with dramatic decreases in symptoms of emotional and mental distress. These
results are consistent with the hypothesis that women who do not feel a sense of efficacy
and control in their lives are more likely to experience mental health problems. When
subjects gained a sense of increased personal and relational freedom by leaving WTS‟s high-
control and patriarchal environment, they reported experiencing significant positive mental
health benefits. It remains to be seen whether these preliminary findings will be supported
by future studies using standardized assessment measures, more representative samples,
and comparison groups.
References
Agents of evil. (1994, Feb. 1). The Watchtower, 4-7.
Alternative rock --Is it for me? (1996, Nov. 22). Awake!, 21-23.
At which table are you feeding? (1994, Jul. 1). The Watchtower, 8-13.
Bergman, J. (1992). Jehovah’s Witnesses and the problem of mental illness. Clayton, CA:
Witness Inc.
Birthday celebrations have left a trail of death. (1994, Jul. 15). The Watchtower, 25.
Bullough, V. (1973). The subordinate sex: A history of attitudes toward women. Urbana:
University of Illinois Press.
Chafe, W. (1977). Women and equality. New York: Oxford University Press.
problem, although it may be minor in nature” (p. 20). He draws the conclusion that the rate
of mental illness and suicide in the Witness population is above the average rate found in
the general population. In addition, the fact that all of the respondents in this study
reported better mental health after leaving the organization indicates that they are not just
“people with problems” who would have difficulty in any setting. Their mental status as a
whole improved dramatically after leaving the group.
Another important question that needs to be addressed is the question of whether
emotionally unstable people are attracted to WTS in order to create a sense of stability (by
adopting a rigid external locus of control) in their lives, thus raising the rate of mental
illness in the group as a whole. A very interesting future study would be one that compared
mental illness rates and rates of exit from the group between adult converts versus those
raised in the religion. It would also be helpful to use standardized measures of psychological
distress in future studies.
The primary difficulty in getting a full picture of the actual rate of mental illness in WTS is
that Jehovah‟s Witnesses are generally unwilling to participate in research by outsiders, or
“worldly people.” Even though some individuals might consent to participate in impartial
studies, it would be impossible to rule out the fatally contaminating effect of the pressure to
present themselves as “the happiest people on earth.” It is vital to WTS‟s identity that
members present themselves as better than and happier than the rest of the world in order
to bolster the rationale for potential converts to join. To illustrate this attitude, The
Watchtower states that “the incomparable „peace of God‟ is an unusual tranquility enjoyed
by Jehovah‟s dedicated servants even in the most trying situations…. We are not
overwhelmed by anxiety, for we know that Jehovah makes all of his faithful people „dwell in
security‟ (“Throw All Your,” 1994, p. 22). The same issue of The Watchtower goes on to
point out that “their good reputation is precious to them because it honors their heavenly
Father and can help to draw others to their way of life and to their God, Jehovah” (“If You
Owe,” 1994, p. 28).
Despite the inherent difficulties in studying a group such as this, the results of this study
indicate that this group of women experienced positive social and mental health benefits
upon leaving WTS. In general, the women in this survey reported an increase in equality in
their relationships with the men in their lives after exiting the organization. In addition,
after leaving, these women as a whole reported substantially better psychological
adjustment, with dramatic decreases in symptoms of emotional and mental distress. These
results are consistent with the hypothesis that women who do not feel a sense of efficacy
and control in their lives are more likely to experience mental health problems. When
subjects gained a sense of increased personal and relational freedom by leaving WTS‟s high-
control and patriarchal environment, they reported experiencing significant positive mental
health benefits. It remains to be seen whether these preliminary findings will be supported
by future studies using standardized assessment measures, more representative samples,
and comparison groups.
References
Agents of evil. (1994, Feb. 1). The Watchtower, 4-7.
Alternative rock --Is it for me? (1996, Nov. 22). Awake!, 21-23.
At which table are you feeding? (1994, Jul. 1). The Watchtower, 8-13.
Bergman, J. (1992). Jehovah’s Witnesses and the problem of mental illness. Clayton, CA:
Witness Inc.
Birthday celebrations have left a trail of death. (1994, Jul. 15). The Watchtower, 25.
Bullough, V. (1973). The subordinate sex: A history of attitudes toward women. Urbana:
University of Illinois Press.
Chafe, W. (1977). Women and equality. New York: Oxford University Press.
