This is a summary version of an academic article written by Dhyana Levey and Roderick Dubrow-Marshall, first published in the International Journal of Coercion, Abuse, and Manipulation (IJCAM) Volume 5 2023. Read the full academic article on IJCAM, and the summary below.
At a glance
This study investigates how media coverage of cults influences the well-being and recovery of former members. While cults are a popular media topic, they are often misunderstood, leading to the stigmatization of victims as “bizarre” or “violent.” Using survey data from 84 former members, the research examines whether exposure to these portrayals—both fictional and nonfictional—relates to symptoms of distress, such as anxiety and depression, or impacts a survivor’s sense of self-acceptance and personal growth. The study highlights stigma as a potential mechanism and calls for more ethical media practices and further research.
Who this article is for: This article is essential for media professionals and journalists seeking to report on high-demand groups ethically without further traumatizing survivors. It is also highly relevant for mental health clinicians and former cult members interested in how external stereotypes can be internalized during the recovery process.
Key points
The gap between media fascination and academic research
While the media has a long-standing interest in cults, comparing them to mainstream religions or detailing sensationalist stories, there is a surprising lack of data on how survivors actually react to this coverage. This project “breaks new ground” by shifting the focus from public perception to the internal experience of the victims themselves. The study emphasizes that while the public may view these stories as entertainment, survivors are a vulnerable population often dealing with depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Drawing on prior stigma research, the authors argue that such portrayals can be internalized by vulnerable populations, potentially undermining recovery and discouraging help-seeking.
“The word ‘cult’ is a controversial term, and some sociologists have argued that the use of the word, along with biased and unfair media coverage about cults, stigmatizes members and former members.”
A novel focus on former members’ media exposure
This study is among the first to empirically examine how former cult members themselves experience media coverage about cults. Rather than focusing on public opinion, it centers survivors’ perceptions of fairness, accuracy, and comfort with both fictional and nonfictional media, filling a significant gap in cultic studies and media psychology.
“Key findings from a sample of former cult members (N = 84) indicated that the more exposure a former cult member had to media about cults, the more negative feelings they developed about themselves and their sense of well-being regarding personal growth, self-acceptance, and their relationships with other people.”
Development of the Media Exposure Survey
The researchers introduce a new Media Exposure Survey (MES) designed to measure frequency of exposure, comfort with media content, and perceived fairness and accuracy of portrayals. Reliability analyses supported most proposed subscales, offering preliminary justification for the instrument while underscoring the need for further validation in larger samples.
“These indications are consistent with previous research about media’s impact on public stigma, referring to negative judgment coming from the general population, and self-stigma, in which the person being judged has internalized the negative stereotypes coming from the public stigma.”
The impact of media exposure on self-acceptance
The study found that increased exposure to media about cults—especially fictional portrayals—correlated with more negative feelings regarding self-acceptance and relationships with others. This suggests that the more media a former member consumes, the more they may struggle to feel positive about their own identity and their ability to connect with the outside world. Interestingly, the study found that even being “comfortable” with such media did not necessarily lead to better well-being outcomes.
About the study
- Sample Size: 84 former cult members
- Demographics: 63 participants (75%) identified as women
- Generational Status: 40% or more of the sample were “born and raised” in a cult
- Significance: 12 specific correlations between media exposure and well-being subscales were found to be statistically significant or approaching significance.
The need for ethical media guidelines
The findings suggest that even media perceived as accurate may still contribute to internalized stigma. Given the potential for media to negatively impact survivor well-being, the authors suggest that psychologists should collaborate with media professionals, similar to efforts used in mental health reporting. Education campaigns could provide reporters with guidelines on how to depict stigmatized populations more accurately and empathetically. By presenting more constructive detail about the victims’ experiences, the media could foster public empathy rather than judgment, ultimately aiding in the recovery of those who have escaped coercive groups. Such interventions may support survivor recovery and reduce harm.
“Education campaigns in which psychologists provide guidelines to reporters about more accurate ways to depict stigmatized populations have shown some success, and this study suggests that former cult members could also benefit from similar efforts.”
Conclusion summary
The study concludes that while media exposure does not necessarily predict clinical distress (like acute anxiety or depression), it has a measurable negative impact on a survivor’s self-acceptance and interpersonal relationships. The internalization of media-driven stigma appears to be a significant barrier to a healthy sense of well-being. Future research with larger, more diverse populations is needed to further validate these findings and refine the newly developed Media Exposure Survey.
About the authors:
Dhyana Levey
Dhyana Levey is affiliated with the Psychology of Coercive Control, School of Health and Society, University of Salford. At the time of publication, she was based in Oakland, California, USA. Her work focuses on cults, stigma, media representation, and the psychological well-being of former cult members.
Roderick Dubrow-Marshall
Roderick Dubrow-Marshall is affiliated with the Psychology of Coercive Control, School of Health and Society, University of Salford. His research has contributed extensively to the study of cultic groups, coercive control, identity, and recovery processes among former members.
