The evolving self: finding meaning in near-death experiences using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
Mental Health Religion & Culture December 8, 2008 David J. Wilde, Craig D. Murray 38 citations
Near-death experiences (NDEs) are increasingly studied, but most research takes a nomothetic approach, focusing on general patterns. This study used interpretative phenomenological analysis to explore how three women made sense of their NDEs and the after-effects. Rather than uniformly leading to personal and spiritual growth, individuals selectively incorporate elements that are most personally meaningful. The integration of the experience is shaped by physical and psychological factors at the time of the NDE, and the experience can challenge a person's sense of self, affecting how they maintain and develop their identity in the years afterward.