Reference code: | PT/FB/BL-2004-110.02 |
Location: | Arquivo PCA - Pasta 9/2004
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Title:
| Reports of distressing anomalous experiences to UK parapsychology units: A survey, analysis and the creation of a practical response tool
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Publication year: | 2006
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URL:
| http://www.bial.com/imagem/1178809516livroactas.pdf
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Abstract/Results: | ABSTRACT:
This project was concerned with contacts from individuals to UK academic parapsychology or anomalous experiences research units reporting distressing anomalous experiences. It focused on contacts (via telephone, letter or e-mail) by individuals who were a) distressed or confused by their experiences, and b) seeking from these units information, help or verification of the paranormal nature of their experiences. This study was encouraged by 20 years of experience at the KPU with contacts of this kind, and motivated by: a) recent research on the effect of early identification and delay in the treatment of psychosis; and b) the strong possibility that some of the distressed individuals who contact these units before or instead of seeking medical advice about their distress are premorbid for psychotic illness. The aims of this project were to: 1) assess the extent of records of such contacts to UK units; 2) assess what information was available in these records; 3) estimate what proportion of such contacts to UK units the existing records represent; and 4) research current procedures for dealing with such contacts in these units. Two studies were developed: a survey of records of distressed contacts to participating units, and an interview study with members of staff at each of these units. Data resulting from each study was treated, respectively, by quantitative content analysis and by thematic analysis. Outcomes from both studies suggest that: 1) when academic units declare interest in anomalous experiences or parapsychology this is likely to attract a small number of distressed
individuals who are prodromal for or in first episode psychosis, and who have not contacted health or mental health advisors; 2) while there are benefits to units from media exposure, this exposure may entail some responsibilities; 3) these may be addressed by establishing a procedure in units which ensures that distressed individuals are dealt with in a structured, informed and efficient way, which should probably involve clinical advisors; 4) there are socially/culturally patterned ways of talking about unusual experiences, displaying distress and making requests, which should be considered for this purpose; and 5) the benefits of such a procedure to the affected individuals, their families and communities, and to the National Health Service are likely to be significant.
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Accessibility: | Document does not exist in file
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Language:
| eng
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Author:
| Coelho, C.
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Secondary author(s):
| Lamont, P.
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Document type:
| Conference abstract
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Number of reproductions:
| 2
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Reference:
| Coelho, C., & Lamont, P. (2006). Reports of distressing anomalous experiences to UK parapsychology units: A survey, analysis and the creation of a practical response tool. In Aquém e além do cérebro. Behind and beyond the brain. Proceedings of the 6th Symposium of Fundação Bial (pp. 270-271). Porto: Fundação Bial.
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Indexed document: | No
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Keywords: | Parapsychology / Spontaneous cases / Distressing anomalous experiences
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Reports of distressing anomalous experiences to UK parapsychology units: A survey, analysis and the creation of a practical response tool |