Near-Death Experiences: An Exploration of Perceived Responses, Effects ofInterventions, and Impact

摘要

This study explored near-death experience (NDE) survivors' perceptions andcommunication in the disclosure of NDEs to health care professionals and significant others, interventions encountered, and effects of those actions. Eight adults NDErs, selected through network sampling, were interviewed. Their NDEs had occurred during diverse circumstances including near-drowning, miscarriage, routine surgery, drug overdose, cardiac arrest, and a motor vehicle accident. Content analysis was used to describe the interactions from the experiments' perspective. A dynamic communication process emerged as central to disclosure about NDEs. Study subjects identified several barriers to disclosure. Actions that were most helpful included listening, showing interest, offering opportunities for disclosure, and providing information and confirmation. Negative actions and their impacts included ignoring or refusal to listen, minimizing the experience, discounting, and perceived to lack knowledge of the phenomenon and to appear afraid, disinterested, or lood too busy to talk.