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Losing the Self in Near-Death Experiences: The Experience of Ego-Dissolution.
- Source :
- Brain Sciences (2076-3425); Jul2021, Vol. 11 Issue 7, p929, 1p
- Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- Many people who have had a near-death experience (NDE) describe, as part of it, a disturbed sense of having a "distinct self". However, no empirical studies have been conducted to explore the frequency or intensity of these effects. We surveyed 100 NDE experiencers (Near-Death-Experience Content [NDE-C] scale total score ≥27/80). Eighty participants had their NDEs in life-threatening situations and 20 had theirs not related to life-threatening situations. Participants completed the Ego-Dissolution Inventory (EDI) and the Ego-Inflation Inventory (EII) to assess the experience of ego dissolution and inflation potentially experienced during their NDE, respectively. They also completed the Nature-Relatedness Scale (NR-6) which measures the trait-like construct of one's self-identification with nature. Based on prior hypotheses, ratings of specific NDE-C items pertaining to out-of-body experiences and a sense of unity were used for correlational analyses. We found higher EDI total scores compared with EII total scores in our sample. Total scores of the NDE-C scale were positively correlated with EDI total scores and, although less strongly, the EII and NR-6 scores. EDI total scores were also positively correlated with the intensity of OBE and a sense of unity. This study suggests that the experience of dissolved ego-boundaries is a common feature of NDEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- NEAR-death experiences
SELF
CONCORD
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 20763425
- Volume :
- 11
- Issue :
- 7
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Brain Sciences (2076-3425)
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 151562494
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci11070929