Assessing psychologists' knowledge and attitudes toward near-death phenomena

Nina Thornburg's (1988) Near-Death Phenomena Knowledge and Attitudes Questionnaire was distributed to 326 randomly selected Illinois psychologists. Of 117 usable questionnaires received, the mean score for knowledge questions was 7.5 of a maximum score of 18. Respondents were most knowledgeable about near-death elements of peace, out-of-body transcendence, and tunnel/light phenomena. The mean score for the attitude portion of the instrument was 61.3 of a maximum score of 85 points for the most positive attitude. Seven percent of the respondents indicated having had a near-death experience, 19% indicated having counseling near-death experiencers, and 28% indicated having had personal contacts with an experiencer.     

Hospice nurses' knowledge and attitudes toward the near-death experience

I surveyed 60 hospice nurses regarding their knowledge and attitudes toward the near-death experience (NDE), using Thornburg's Near-Death Phenomena Knowledge and Attitudes Questionnaire. Most hospice nurses had previous work experience with an NDEr. Approximately half the nurses were knowledgeable about the NDE. All participants had a positive attitude toward near-death phenomena and toward caring for an NDEr. Recommendations include near-death phenomena inservice education for hospice nurses and inclusion of NDE content in nursing education programs.This paper was derived in part from her Master of Science in Nursing thesis submitted to Radford University.     

Historical perspectives on near-death phenomena

The authors present an introductory overview of the history of near-death phenomena, followed by a synopsis of near-death research representative of three historical eras: 1880s–1930; 1930s–1960; and 1960 to the present.     

The use of near-death phenomena in therapy

Though near-death studies have yielded few practical applications, some psychotherapists have used insights from near-death experiences (NDEs) to treat a variety of problems. Using hypnosis, relaxation methods, or electric shock to initiate a conversation with a purported spirit possessing the patient, the therapist persuades the spirit to join others in a land of ethereal beauty and light similar to the transcendental realm of an NDE, or simply to go directly into the light. Such techniques are treated as a culmination of the spirit's NDE; that is, the purported possessing spirits had their original death experiences terminated prior to entering the transcendental stage, but instead of returning to their own bodies, they appear to have invaded the bodies of others. Some persons may leave themselves open to invasion through substance abuse or occult practices.     

Psychic phenomena following near-death experiences: An Australian study

This study examines the incidence of reports of psychic phenomena and associated beliefs both before and after the near-death experience (NDE). The near-death experiencers interviewed reported no more psychic phenomena before the NDE than the general population. There was a statistically significant increase following the NDE in the incidence of 14 of 15 items examined.     

Extrasensory perception,near-death experiences,and the limits of scientific knowledge

If mental state can influence the external world, or if alternate dimensions of reality are accessible only in certain mental states, then important aspects of the universe are unknowable with current scientific tools. Near-death studies suggest that both those conditions may occur. Thus the exploration of NDE-like phenomena requires a radically new scientific paradigm.     

Assessment of clergy knowledge and attitudes

Letter to the Editor

Assessment of clergy knowledge and attitudes     

Changes in religious beliefs,attitudes, and practices following near-death experiences: An Australian study

This study examined changes in religious beliefs, attitudes, and practices in the lives of 50 near-death experiencers. I attempted to clarify whether these changes were to greater religiousness or to a deeper spirituality. I found that before the near-death experience (NDE), my respondents were no more religious or spiritually inclined than the general Australian population. Following the NDE there was a statistically significant shift towards spirituality on most items investigated.     

Development of an inventory of teachers' attitudes towards sex-role stereotyping and knowledge of sex differences

The Scott Sex-Role Inventory (SSRI) is a 37-item questionnaire of teachers' knowledge of sex differences and attitudes toward sex-role stereotyping. Norms, reliability, and validity were developed on a suburban southeastern school system. Responses of male and female teachers were comparable on both sections of the test. The SSRI offers an index of teachers' knowledge and attitudes toward sex roles which may help to assess (1) needs for attitude change and (2) the effectiveness of intervention programs.     

Effects of parent education on knowledge and attitudes

This study evaluated 42 pregnant and parenting adolescents (aged 13 to 20 years) and adults (who began parenting as adolescents) enrolled in parenting classes. The Parent as a Teacher Inventory and the Adult-Adolescent Parenting Inventory were used to measure change in knowledge and attitudes following participation in the classes. The findings indicated significant improvement as a result of parent education.     

The myth of the near-death journey

I examine in this article the meaning and developmental potential of the near-death experience (NDE) as a stimulus to inner exploration. The NDE as a prototype of the transcendent contact encounter offers a model for an evolutionary theory of religion. My own experiences and contemporary portrayals of NDEs suggest that the experience is a vehicle for the mythic renewal of our idea of death as a journey rather than as a termination, and may be a stimulus for spiritual revolution.     

Clinical approaches to the near-death experiencer

The literature on near-death experiences (NDEs) and their aftereffects has focused on the positive personality transformations and spiritual development that often follow an NDE, while it has neglected the emotional and interpersonal problems sometimes precipitated by the experience. We report general guidelines and specific interventions, developed at an interdisciplinary conference, to assist NDErs in coping with psychological difficulties following their experiences.This report was based on a conference on Clinical Approaches to the Near-Death Experience, sponsored by the International Association for Near-Death Studies, February 5–9, 1984, in Pembroke Pines, FL, and funded in part by a grant from the Institute of Noetic Sciences. The authors gratefully acknowledge the contributions of the other participants in that conference: Patricia Bahr, Boyce Batey, Sharon Batey, Nancy Bush, Kimberly Clark, M.S.W., Diane Corcoran, R.N., Ph.D., Elaine Durham, Linda Fleishman, Charles Flynn, Ph.D., Margaret Huddleston, Joan Kaye, Esther Knecht, Carolyn Lewis-Stone, M.S.W., Jean Marr, Ph.D., John McDonagh, Ph.D., Anne-Marie Meagher, M.D., John Migliaccio, M.Ed., Judith Miller, Ph.D., Raymond Moody, Jr., M.D., Ph.D., Leslee Morabito, Annalee Oaks, R.N., M.A., Ruth Orner, Ph.D., Carol Parrish-Harra, Madelaine Podurgiel, R.N., Ph.D., Laurie Schwartz, Joyce Strom-Paikin, R.N., M.S., Robert Sullivan, Nina Thornburg, M.S.N., Israel Topel, M.D., and Kate Wyatt, Ph.D.     

The popular appeal of the near-death experience

In this article I argue that as scientific research provides an ever-more-complete physiological explanation of the near-death experience (NDE), popular interest in NDEs will wane, because the transcendental interpretation, which holds that the NDE provides proof of an immaterial soul, an afterlife, and assorted paranormal phenomena, has always been the magnet that has attracted widespread attention to the subject. Since the transcendental interpretation resonates with our culture's deepest wishes, dreams, and fears, the television and newspapers have tended to focus on that model almost exclusively. This unbalanced presentation of near-death research has reinforced the traditional image of science as a cold, heartless enterprise. I speculate that, in terms of its popular appeal, future near-death research may well have more impact on the field of psychotherapy than that of religion or the paranormal.He has taught at Stanford University and at Villa Maria College.