Cults and Mental Health

Reflections on Offering a Therapeutic Creative Arts Intervention With Cult Survivors: A Collective Biography

“…designed to advance the goals of the group's leaders, to the actual or possible detriment of members, their families, or the community" (West & Langone, 1986, pp.119-120). The impact on individuals who survive these groups includes depression, anxiety, complex PTSD, and dissociation, which can result in profound, lasting, and detrimental emotional, cognitive, social, practical, physical, and behavioral effects (Aronoff, et al, 2000;Dubrow-Marshall & Dubrow-Marshall, 2015;Rosen, 2017). Many former members suffer from severe trust issues in relation to authority figures and continue to feel vulnerable to abuse (Matthews & Salazar, 2014).…”

Cult conversion from the perspective of families: Implications for prevention and psychological intervention.

“…In light of studies demonstrating the similarities between the process of cult conversion and violent radicalization in terrorist groups (Moyano, 2018, 2019; Rodríguez-Carballeira et al, 2009; Trujillo et al, 2018, 2009), the 3N model is a promising framework for the study of cult recruitment and the process of joining GPAs. On the other hand, there is evidence that living in a GPA can cause deleterious psychological effects in its former members, such as dissociation, posttraumatic stress, depression, self-harm, anxiety, psychotic delusions, cognitive rigidity, sleep disturbances, and deterioration of critical thinking (Aronoff et al, 2000; Dubrow-Marshall & Dubrow-Marshall, 2016; Healy, 2017; Saldaña, Rodríguez-Carballeira, et al, 2018; Zhou et al, 2016). In turn, these experiences also produce other psychosocial disturbances, such as feelings of loneliness, hopelessness, fear, guilt, and difficulties in social relationships or interpersonal conflicts (Coates, 2010; Saldaña, Antelo, et al, 2018; Swartling & Swartling, 1992).…”

“…One of the main manipulation techniques of cults is social isolation and estrangement from loved ones (Cuevas & Canto, 2006; Rodríguez-Carballeira et al, 2015). Moreover, the family is typically the main source of support for recovery, given that relatives are frequently responsible for initiating requests for professional help and advice (Dubrow-Marshall et al, 2017; Rousselet et al, 2017; Singer, 1986). Families also witness radical changes in their loved one’s behavior, personality, and customs, which is increasingly perceived as more distant, apathetic, and conflictual (Langone, 1985; Singer, 1986; Ward, 2002).…”