Abstract
This study aimed to examine the inner psychological characteristics of cult members, provide a basis for the implementation of psychological counseling. 63 cult members and 69 ordinary people were assessed with the Self-Consistency and Congruence Scale (SCCS), the Interpersonal Trust Scale (ITS), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the Self-rated Health Measurement Scale (SRHMS). Cult members scored significantly lower than the control group in the total score of the interpersonal trust, self-flexibility dimension and self-rated health. (t=-3.67,p<0.01;t=-2.34,p<0.05; t=-4.66,p<0.01); cult members scored significantly lower on each dimension of self-rated health than the control group (t= 3.22, p< 0.01;t= 4.18, p< 0.01; t= 3.49, p< 0.01;t = 4.66, p< 0.01); cult members scored significantly higher than the control group in the total score of the self and experience disharmony dimension and the trait anxiety level (t=2.11,p<0.05;t=5.67,p<0.01); cult members’ self-consistency and congruence has negative correlation with mental health (r=-0.372,p<0.05); trait anxiety and mental health have a negative correlation relationship (r=-0.557,p<0.01); the main factors influencing cult members’ mental health were self and experience disharmony and trait anxiety, with two factors explaining 22.3% of the mental health. Cult members were reported to have lower interpersonal trust, lower self-consistency and congruence, lower health level and higher trait anxiety (the so-called “three-low-and-one-high” symptoms). We can use the solution-focused brief therapy to implement mental counseling, which has an emphasis on problem-solving without an entanglement of the causes, and on promotion of cult members’ changes in a positive attitude. Key words: Cult members, “three-low-and-one-high” symptoms, solution-focused brief therapy.
Highlights
Destructive cult group was defined as a group or organization in religion, culture, or other forms which would require absolute loyalty of its members
The cult member refers to joining cult group and its activities, at the same time with psychological function degradation
In order to address the above problem, this study examined the special group‟s psychological characteristics and symptoms, and took solution-focused brief therapy to implement mental counseling which could help members better adapt to their social life
Summary
Destructive cult group (hereinafter referred to as worship group) was defined as a group or organization in religion, culture, or other forms which would require absolute loyalty of its members. For these groups, members played for a certain person or proposition, and were operated by their leaders to achieve own purpose, with. Scholars have carried out numerous researches on worship causes, the cult members‟ personality traits and behavior patterns. In order to address the above problem, this study examined the special group‟s psychological characteristics and symptoms, and took solution-focused brief therapy to implement mental counseling which could help members better adapt to their social life
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