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Dissociation: Adjustment or Distress? Dissociative Phenomena, Absorption and Quality of Life Among Israeli Women Who Practice Channeling Compared to Women with Similar Traumatic History

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Abstract

This study aimed to explore the relationship between traumatic history, dissociative phenomena, absorption and quality of life among a population of channelers, in comparison with a population of non-channelers with similar traumatic history. The study sample included 150 women. The measures included Traumatic Experiences Scale, Dissociative Experience Scale, Absorption Scale, Brief Symptom Inventory and Quality of Life (QOL) Assessment. Channelers presented significantly higher levels of dissociation, absorption and psychological health compared to the other group. Dissociation and absorption were trauma-related only among the comparison group. Hence, dissociation has different qualities among different people, and spiritual practice contributes to QOL.

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Acknowledgments

During the course of this study, the first author was supported by a doctoral scholarship from the graduate study authority of the University of Haifa.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Social Work, University of Haifa, Mt. Carmel, Israel

    Tali Stolovy

  2. Lev Hasharon Mental Health Center, POB 90000, 42100, Netanya, Israel

    Tali Stolovy

  3. Graduate School of Creative Arts Therapies, Emili Sagol CAT Research Center, University of Haifa, Mt. Carmel, Israel

    Rachel Lev-Wiesel

  4. Faculty of Health Sciences, Mental Health Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel

    Eliezer Witztum

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  1. Tali Stolovy
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  2. Rachel Lev-Wiesel
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  3. Eliezer Witztum
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Correspondence to Tali Stolovy.

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Stolovy, T., Lev-Wiesel, R. & Witztum, E. Dissociation: Adjustment or Distress? Dissociative Phenomena, Absorption and Quality of Life Among Israeli Women Who Practice Channeling Compared to Women with Similar Traumatic History. J Relig Health 54, 1040–1051 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-014-9885-4

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