Possession trance in a semi-urban community in Sri Lanka.
C P Wijesinghe, S A Dissanayake, N Mendis
The Australian and New Zealand journal of psychiatry June 1, 1976 DOI: 10.3109/00048677609159490 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractIn a survey of 7,653 people in a semi-urban area, 37 individuals experienced possession trance states. The study describes the trance manifestations, course, and outcomes. Subjects who experienced trance differed significantly from the general population in certain characteristics, including the presence of psychiatric disorder. Four psychodynamic syndromes were identified and illustrated with case examples. The paper reviews the functions of possession behavior and compares personal possession, ritual possession, and altered states of consciousness in Western society.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 37 |
| Population | Semi-urban population |
| Citations | 27 |
| Key finding | Among 7,653 surveyed individuals, 37 experienced possession trance states, and these subjects showed significant differences from the total population in characteristics including psychiatric disorder. |
Abstract
A survey of possession trance states in a semi-urban population of 7653 identified 37 subjects. The manifestations of the trance, and its course and outcome are outlined. The characteristics of the subjects, including presence of psychiatric disorder, are compared with that of the total population, and significant differences are noted. Four psychodynamic syndromes observed are described with illustrative case vignettes. The functions subserved by possession behaviour are reviewed, and comparisons are drawn between personal possession, ritual possession, and altered states of consciousness in Western society.