Polish Catholics Attribute Trauma-related Symptoms to Possession: Qualitative Analysis of Two Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivors.

Two women with a history of sexual abuse were labeled as possessed by their religious communities and subjected to exorcisms. A clinical assessment and interpretative phenomenological analysis revealed that accepting a demonic explanation for trauma-related symptoms and interventions from clergy provided social support but prevented them from seeking diagnostic evaluations and trauma-focused therapy, resulting in persistent symptoms. This underscores the need to educate religious leaders about basic psychopathological symptoms.

Study at a glance

Abstract

In many cultures, people use the concept of spirit possession to explain abrupt changes in behavior and identity or problems with affect regulation. High incidence of traumatic experiences are also found among "possession" victims but there are few studies exploring in detail their clinical presentations. This study reports the symptoms of two women with a history of sexual abuse, labeled in their religious communities as possessed, and subjected to exorcisms. Following a thorough clinical assessment, interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to explore their meaning-making and help-seeking behavior. Accepting the demonic reappraisal of trauma-related symptoms and interventions offered by clergy contributed to receiving social support but discouraged them from seeking diagnostic consultations and trauma-focused therapy, leading to their continued symptoms. This justifies the need for educating religious leaders in recognizing and understanding basic psychopathological symptoms.