The influence of the member's life in "destructive cults" on the psychological problems after departing from the groups

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of the member's life in destructive cults on the psychological problems after departing from the groups. A factor analysis was performed with the data of questionnaires toward 157 participants, and seven factors were extracted. They were (1) avoidance behavior to avoid out-groups, (2) restriction of freedom, (3) satisfaction, (4) behavior of submission, (5) compliance with rules, (6) punishment and reward, and (7) mysterious experience. Analyses of variance showed that restriction of freedom and punishment and reward are more likely to develop personal distress, whereas mysterious experiences are more likely to develop personal distress and interpersonal distress.