Disorganized Attachment Promotes Mystical Experiences via a Propensity for Alterations in Consciousness (Absorption)
March 6, 2012 P. Granqvist, B. Hagekull, T. Ivarsson
Mystical experiences are linked to disorganized attachment through the propensity to enter altered states of consciousness, known as absorption. In a sample of 62 predominantly religious or spiritual participants, disorganized attachment, measured with the Adult Attachment Interview, predicted lifetime mystical experiences, and absorption mediated this link. Alternative mediational models received less conclusive support. Conventional aspects of religion, such as theistic beliefs and general religiousness, were not related to disorganized attachment or absorption, supporting the model's discriminant validity. The authors suggest mystical experiences may be a nonpathological, self-reparative outcome of disorganized attachment and the tendency for altered consciousness.