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This article is an electronic version of an article originally published in Cultic Studies Journal, 1997, Volume 14,
Number 2, pages 207-289. Please keep in mind that the pagination of this electronic reprint differs from that of the
bound volume. This fact could affect how you enter bibliographic information in papers that you may write.
Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 14, No. 2, 1997, page 75
The Individual Cult Experience Index:
The Assessment of Cult Involvement
and Its Relationship to Postcult Distress
Nadine Winocur, Psy.D.
Los Angeles, California
Jonibeth Whitney, M.A.
California School of Professional Psychology
Carol Sorensen, Psy.D.
Newport Beach, California
Peggy Vaughn, Psy.D.
United States Air Force
David Foy, Ph.D.
Pepperdine University
Abstract
Research has suggested, but not yet quantitatively demonstrated, a relationship
between cult involvement and postcult distress. This study addresses this problem
with the development of the Individual Cult Experience (ICE) Index. Designed to
tap group experiences associated with subsequent distress as reported in the cult
and trauma literature, the ICE Index was tested on 76 support-seeking former cult
members and two comparison groups (14 non-support-seeking former cult
members and 13 distressed individuals who were not current or former cult
members). Preliminary psychometric analyses show strong internal consistency
(coefficient alpha =.89), and an overall correct classification rate of 84%. A
correlation of .45 (p .001) was found between the ICE Index and current distress
as assessed with the Los Angeles Symptom Checklist (LASC). Thus, a relationship
between extent of cult involvement and current distress in former cult members is
demonstrated by the ICE Index, along with a differentiation between cult-involved
and non-cult-involved individuals.
Psychological distress is frequently reported by former cult members (Chambers, Langone,
Dole, &Grice, 1994), and has been documented by many clinicians and researchers (Clark,
1979 Conway &Siegelman, 1982 Galanter, 1983 Goldberg &Goldberg, 1982 Langone,
1993 West &Singer, 1980). Distress severity often reaches clinical significance (Galanter,
1983 Martin, Langone, Dole, &Wiltrout, 1992 Spero, 1984 Swartling &Swartling, 1992),
and may be widespread among former cult members, even those who have not sought
treatment (Chambers et al., 1994). Recent research demonstrates that many former cult
members perceive themselves to have been psychologically abused during their cult
involvement (Chambers et al., 1994). Empirical support exists for a relationship between
specific practices used in many cults and subsequent distress (Martin et al., 1992 Yalom &
Lieberman, 1971) for example, time spent in group rituals and average length of
rehabilitation (Conway, Siegelman, Carmichael, &Loggins, 1986).
Alternative theories linking postcult distress to experiences before and after cult
involvement have been advanced as well. Possible factors include family history (Maron,
1988 Sirkin &Grellong, 1988), level of precult adjustment (Galanter, 1978, 1980), and
method of cult disaffiliation, including extent of contact with cult awareness resources (Kim,
1979 Lewis, 1986 Ungerleider &Wellisch, 1979). However, it is more likely that postcult
psychological adjustment is multidetermined (Dubrow-Eichel, 1989 Tobias &Lalich, 1994
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