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Most of us former members still suffer from "residue" of our cult experience. This survey has been designed to gain a better understanding of the issues regarding the effects of cult mind abuse and what helps former members best in their recovery. I, Ingo Michehl, am a former 6 1/2 year member of CARP (Unification Church/Moonies), and I am conducting this research in the framework of my master's thesis in counseling psychology. Please take a few minutes to download (just go to File - Save As on your browser) this survey, answer and e-mail it back to me. Check here _ if you would like the results of the survey. In case you know other former cult members, please give them a hard copy or e-copy and ask them to fill it out as well.
Gender: __ male __ female
Involvement in the group: From ______ to _______
Joined at age ______
Type of group:
__ new age __ bible-based __ eastern-mythological __ psychotherapy
type
__ other: ___________________________
Name of group:
_________________________________________________________
What was the primary initial appeal of the group to you?
__ emotional __ intellectual __ spiritual __ all three
How would you define your mental health before joining the group?
1 excellent 2 good 3 fair 4 not so good 5 struggling/bad shape
While you were in the group, what beliefs/fears prevented you
from leaving?
__ belief that I was doing good (e.g. God's will, helping people)
__ belief that I would grow spiritually/mentally
__ belief that I could help change the world for the better
__ belief that I could gain special power/position
__ belief that I was restoring my relationship with God &
people
__ belief that this was the only (right) way to go
__ fear of being invaded and destroyed by satan
__ fear of loosing my salvation/relationship with God
__ fear of loosing my mind
__ fear of physical harm to myself/others (e.g. family)
__ fear of betraying the group/leader
__ (others)__________________________________________________________
Please rate your PRESENT level of satisfaction:
(1 very satisfied 2 satisfied 3 not really satisfied 4 dissatisfied
5 extremely dissatisfied)
AT PRESENT/NOW
__ job/career
__ social (relationships)
__ recreation/hobbies
__ personal/intimate
__ spiritual
JUST BEFORE JOINING THE GROUP
__ job/career
__ social (relationships)
__ recreation/hobbies
__ personal/intimate
__ spiritual
What is your present level of yearly income?
__ $0 - $20,000
__ $20,000 - $50,000
__ $50,000 - $100,000
__ > $100,000
What is your present employment
situation?
__ full-time
__ part-time
__ student
__ unemployed
Please mark the descriptors that best describe your situation/state BEFORE joining the group:
__ good, satisfying, stable job/career
__ transitional stage (between jobs, schools, etc.)
__ "healthy" family background
__ dysfunctional family background
__ clear, specific goals
__ searching for truth/meaning/purpose in life
__ parents together with good relationship
__ parents divorced
__ satisfying social relationships (friends etc.)
__ traumatic experience within one year prior to joining group
(e.g. broken relationship)
What difficulties have you experienced since leaving?
__ headaches: __ daily __frequent __occasional
__ depression
__ muscle tension/back problems
__ disorientation/Difficulty to relate to reality
__ bad dreams/nightmares/sleep disturbances
__ mood swings (excitement/hope => frustration, depression)
__ frustration/hopelessness
__ feeling empty and dead inside
__ feeling negative and unhappy
__ feeling angry
__ inability to trust & establish meaningful relationships
__ loss of energy and motivation; feeling tired
__ feeling overwhelmed
__ vivid, recurrent recollections of being abused in the cult
__ difficult to experience positive emotions (love, joy, etc.)
__ low self-esteem
__ panic/anxiety attacks
__ others (please specify) _______________________________________________
Did you receive professional help (counseling) after leaving the
group?
__ no __yes If yes, for how long? _____________________________
In what form? __ individual counseling __ group therapy __ medication
__ recovery program
Have you studied about cult mind control/thought reform since
leaving the group?
__ yes __ no __ a little
Do you believe mind control exists?
__ yes __ no __ not sure
Do you feel that you were manipulated or controlled by the group?
__ yes __ no __ not sure
What has helped you most in your post-cult recovery?
__ speaking out about my experience in public
__ listening to self-help/motivational tapes
__ sharing with others who had a similar experience
__ reading self-help/motivational books
__ talking to friends and family about my experience
__ sports/recreational activities
__ meditating/listening to music
__ journaling
__ individual counseling (therapy)
__ career planning/goal setting
__ studying about cult mind abuse/manipulation
__ group counseling
__ former members' meetings
__ others (please specify): ___________________________________________
What is one thing you have learned from your cult experience?
Please this survey via email to: ingo@user1.channel1.com
My Internet Home Page: http://www.channel1.com/users/ingo (Moonism - A Threat To Democracy & Freedom)
If you're a former UC member, please e-mail me your testimony as well so I can publish it on my page.
Thank you for you cooperation!
return to MoonismPlease address any questions or problems you encounter on this site to Ingo Michehl. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of trancenet.net,all-info.org, its staff, volunteers, or donors.trancenet.netrelies solely on "sharefare" donations from readers like you at http://www.trancenet.net/trancenet/levels.shtml.
Except where noted, entire contents Copyright ©1995,1996, 1997 Ingo Michehl.
Atrancenet.netpublication.
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