Occupational transitions of leaving a cult: A study of publicly available accounts

Abstract

ABSTRACT While the formation of cults worldwide has steadily decreased since the 1970s, there are still a significant number of former members who have been impacted by their involvement and face unique challenges transitioning out of these organizations. While research within the field of psychology is robust, little is known about the occupational transition of individuals who leave cults. This study utilized a qualitative interpretive description methodology. Data consisted of 11 first-hand accounts of former members across various multimedia sources (memoirs, podcasts, blogs, and social media posts). The frameworks of doing, being, becoming, and belonging were utilized to guide theme development and enrich the analysis. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis and five themes were identified: Forbidden occupations, Fish out of water, Finding closure through occupation, (Re)Discovering self through occupation, and Rebuilding life. This study contributes to occupational science research by examining the occupational transition of leaving a cult. Increasing the knowledge base on this topic will not only increase understanding of this population but generates an opportunity to provide occupation-centered supports to enhance transitions. Additional research that embraces former members’ active participation across the research process and methods that allow for more feedback from former members, including interview-based methods, may further validate the findings of this study and amplify the experience of this population in transition.