Distinguishing Mystical Religious Experience and Psychotic Experience: A Qualitative Study Interviewing Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Professionals

Mystical religious experience and psychotic disorders share non-rational experiences. Often it is difficult to distinguish one from the other. This qualitative research study interviewed 20 members of the Presbytery of Boston of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to explore what clergy consider to be...

Full description

Saved in:  
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Pastoral psychology
Main Author: DeHoff, Susan (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Check availability: HBZ Gateway
Journals Online & Print:
Drawer...
Fernleihe:Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste
Published: Springer Science Business Media B. V. 2015
In: Pastoral psychology
IxTheo Classification:AE Psychology of religion
CB Christian life; spirituality
KDD Protestant Church
ZD Psychology
Further subjects:B Presbyterian Church in the USA
B Religious Experience
B PSYCHOTIC depression
B Psychoses
B Diagnostic criteria
B Psychotic Experience
B Mental Health
B Spiritualism
B Mystical Experience
B Qualitative Research
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Description
Summary:Mystical religious experience and psychotic disorders share non-rational experiences. Often it is difficult to distinguish one from the other. This qualitative research study interviewed 20 members of the Presbytery of Boston of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to explore what clergy consider to be mystical religious experiences and the methods they employ to distinguish such experience from psychotic experience. Results revealed that they were able to make clear distinction between these two types of experience. Considerations they used to interpret non-rational experiences included the after-effects of the experience, personal experience, Scripture, and Presbyterian beliefs. They also used the characteristics of psychotic behavior congruent with diagnostic criteria given in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual - IV, used by mental health professionals.
ISSN:1573-6679
Contains:Enthalten in: Pastoral psychology
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1007/s11089-013-0584-y