A step into the other world : phenomenology of spontaneous after-death communication experiences in New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand
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Date
2021
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Massey University
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Abstract
After-death communication (ADC) is a type of spiritual experience in which a person senses the presence of somebody deceased, most commonly a deceased loved one. Research supports an association between ADC and various psychological benefits, mainly in the context of grief and bereavement. Research has also shown that people who have these types of experiences are often fearful to disclose them due to fear of ridicule or judgement. The current research aimed to provide a rich description of New Zealander’s ADC experiences, and how they may differ from other populations. A further aim of this research was to uncover the meanings and interpretations of the experiences for the participants through a qualitative research approach. There were ten participants in the study, nine of whom were female. Five of the participants identified as NZ-European; one participant identified as Māori, Celtic, English, and Fijian; and one participant identified as Māori, Cook-Island, and NZ-European. The participants reported that their experiences helped them to have certain needs met and provided them with comfort and reassurance that their loved ones were in a state of wellbeing. Their experiences impacted on and helped with their grieving process. The participants also reported that the experiences enabled them to continue to feel connected to their loved ones. The results of this study are important because they provide insight into what an ADC experience is like for a New Zealander. The findings also have important implications for the field of psychology in New Zealand because they align with other research that supports an association between ADC and positive psychological benefits. The study shows that having an ADC experience in New Zealand is beneficial. Therefore, it encourages psychologists, both in preparation and in practice within NZ, to identify strategies to help ADC experiencers to maximize the benefits of the experience for their psychological wellbeing.