Faith at the Edge of Life: A Mixed-Methods Study of Near-Death Experiences and Spiritual Transformation in the Philippines

Near-death experiences (NDEs) often lead to religious change, but most research has focused on Western contexts. In a mixed-methods study of 683 Filipino adults who reported having NDEs, most participants said their spirituality increased or stayed the same afterward. Only age significantly predicted perceived spiritual change. Qualitative analysis of narrative responses identified six themes: altruism and helping others, challenges to spirituality, increased religious practices, no changes or decreased faith, reflection and growth, and validation of divine presence. The findings show how personal experience, identity, and cultural beliefs shape religious meaning-making after NDEs, offering a culturally grounded understanding of spiritual change.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Near-death experiences (NDEs) encompass transformative existential experiences that lead to religious change. Although most previous research focused primarily on Western contexts, there remains less understanding of individuals’ interpretations of NDEs in pluralistic societies such as the Philippines. Using a mixed-methods approach, this study examined the relationship between NDEs and spiritual transformation in a sample of 683 Filipino adults who acknowledged having NDEs. Quantitative data were assessed in terms of levels of religiosity, NDE occurrence, and perceived spiritual change according to different demographics. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and logistic regression. For the qualitative analysis, narrative responses on the reason why their spirituality increased, stayed the same, or decreased were thematically classified. Six focused phenomenological narratives are noted: altruism and helping others, challenges to spirituality, increased and strengthened religious practices, no changes or decreased faith, reflection and growth, and validation of divine presence. In addition, while the majority reported increased or unchanged spirituality following their NDE, only age emerged as a significant predictor of perceived spiritual change. Overall, findings highlight how personal experience, identity, and cultural beliefs shape religious meaning-making after NDEs. This study offers a culturally grounded understanding of spiritual change and highlights the value of a mixed-methods approach in religious studies.