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Visualizing the Transition out of High-Demand Religions LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations Spring April 2017 Visualizing the Transition Out of High-Demand Religions Summer Anne Myers Loyola Marymount University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/etd Part of the Art and Design Commons, and the Religion Commons Recommended Citation Myers, Summer Anne, "Visualizing the Transition Out of High-Demand Religions" (2017). LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations. 321. https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/etd/321 This Research Projects is brought to you for free and open access by Digital Commons @ Loyola Marymount University and Loyola Law School. It has been accepted for inclusion in LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons@Loyola Marymount University and Loyola Law School. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Running Head: VISUALIZING RELIGIOUS TRANSITIONS Visualizing the Transition out of High Demand Religions by Summer Myers A research paper presented to the Faculty of the Department of Marital and Family Therapy Loyola Marymount University In partial fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts in Marital and Family Therapy May 9, 2017 VISUALIZING RELIGIOUS TRANSITIONS i Signature Page VISUALIZING RELIGIOUS TRANSITIONS i Abstract This research uses a questionnaire and a bridge drawing directive to explore the lived experience of transitioning out of a high-demand religion. Subjects include disaffiliated Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Fundamentalist Protestants who were recruited through a dedicated website via limited promotion in online communities for disaffiliates. Visual and textual responses are analyzed through qualitative coding, with additional analysis performed on the artwork using Hays and Lyons’ (1981) bridge drawing criteria. Results reveal the psychological, social, behavioral, identity, and existential effects of disaffiliation. Results also produce seven emergent themes: ambivalence; embracing uncertainty; social justice; simultaneous transitions; freedom and constraint; growth; and remaining ties. The paper then explores the subjects’ lived experiences, latent content in the artwork, and the role and value of artmaking in healing from these difficult transitions. Lastly, this paper discusses treatment considerations, limitations of the study, and suggestions for future research on religious struggles and disaffiliation. Keywords: Religious struggle, disaffiliation, high-demand religion, art therapy, bridge drawing, life transitions VISUALIZING RELIGIOUS TRANSITIONS ii Disclaimer This paper does not reflect the views of Loyola Marymount University nor the Department of Marital and Family Therapy. Prior to data collection, an Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval for the research was obtained. Appendices contain IRB approval. VISUALIZING RELIGIOUS TRANSITIONS iii Dedication This research is dedicated to my oldest sister, who stepped onto the bridge years before I did and showed me that it wasn’t so scary after all. VISUALIZING RELIGIOUS TRANSITIONS iv Acknowledgements Many thanks to the twenty-nine brave individuals who shared their painful disaffiliation stories and their honest, powerful artwork, including two whose responses could not be used here. Thanks to my husband, Andrew Myers, for editing, coaching, discussing ideas, and caring for our children while I locked myself away to work. Thanks as well to my classmates in the trauma research cluster who brainstormed, assisted, and cheered along the way. And special thanks to Dr. Paige Asawa for her patience, encouragement, and mentorship, and especially for pushing me to take the more difficult path. VISUALIZING RELIGIOUS TRANSITIONS 1 Table of Contents Signature Page ................................................................................................................................. i Abstract ............................................................................................................................................ i Disclaimer ....................................................................................................................................... ii Dedication ...................................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................ iv List of Figures ................................................................................................................................. 4 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 5 The Study Topic .................................................................................................................. 5 Significance of the Study .................................................................................................... 5 Background of the Study Topic ...................................................................................................... 7 Literature Review............................................................................................................................ 9 Prevalence ......................................................................................................................... 10 The Leaving Process ......................................................................................................... 11 Struggles before leaving. ...................................................................................... 14 Reasons for leaving. .............................................................................................. 16 Psychological Effects ........................................................................................................ 17 Identity loss. .......................................................................................................... 18 Community and Family Consequences ............................................................................ 19 On the Other Side.............................................................................................................. 22 Adjusting to the outside world. ............................................................................. 22 Establishing a new religious identity. ................................................................... 25 Positive outcomes. ................................................................................................ 26 VISUALIZING RELIGIOUS TRANSITIONS 2 Integrating Art Therapy .................................................................................................... 27 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 30 Research Approach ....................................................................................................................... 32 Methods......................................................................................................................................... 34 Definition of Terms........................................................................................................... 34 High-demand religion. .......................................................................................... 34 Disaffiliation. ........................................................................................................ 35 Disaffiliate............................................................................................................. 35 Faith transition. ..................................................................................................... 36 Design of Study................................................................................................................. 36 Sampling. .............................................................................................................. 36 Gathering of data................................................................................................... 37 Analysis of data..................................................................................................... 37 Results ........................................................................................................................................... 39 Presentation of Data .......................................................................................................... 39 Demographic information. .................................................................................... 40 Artwork. ................................................................................................................ 41 Analysis............................................................................................................................. 52 Past and current relationships with religion. ......................................................... 52 Reasons for disaffiliation ...................................................................................... 58 Psychological and emotional effects. .................................................................... 59 Social and family effects. ...................................................................................... 60 Effects on lifestyle and behavior........................................................................... 61
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