In part one, I showed the overall average results for the survey. In this section, I will present the correlational results. Correlations range in value from -1 to zero to +1. In a sample of 75, a correlation must be either above +.3 or below -.3 to be statisticly significant. The correlations that were significant ranged between a plus or minus .3 to .5. With that said, here are some results. (1) There is no correlation between the length of time someone was a Witness and their symptoms while a Witness or after leaving. I found this result to be surprising. Apparently, once you are in, the possiblity of developing symptoms may happen at any time. (2) There is a correlation between the number of years out and number of symptoms. The longer one is out, the fewer symptoms people report as a Witness. I can think of two possible reasons for this. Perhaps, things were less stressful many years ago, than they are more recently. Another possibility has to do with a faded memory of the past. There is a tendency to forget negative events from the past, and remember the good ones. Unfortunately, it is not possible to tell which of these to factors or some other factor explains this result. (3) There is a correlation between the number of previous symptoms and the number of present symptoms. While there is dramatic improvement overall, those with several symptoms may have fewer now, but are more likely to still have some. (4) Older people are more likely to report fewer symptoms both during and after the JW experience. Thus, both age and number of years out of the religion show similiar results. I think that is about it. If I notice any other patterns, I will add them later to this thread.
Survey Results, Part 2
by larc 11 Replies latest jw friends
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animal
Here is a question...
What if the symptoms are the reason a person first became a JW.... and when they got out it surfaced bigtime due to less restraint on the lifestyle?
Animal
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mustang
Larc,
"Perhaps, things were less stressful many years ago, than they are more recently."
I agree with this, though having been out at about the limit of your range, i have only my readings here for comparison.
"Another possibility has to do with a faded memory of the past. There is a tendency to forget negative events from the past, and remember the good ones."
That's possible. It's like the old joke about the French Foreign Legion: "I came here to forget". "Well, why are you here?" "I forgot".
Question: does the introduction of the Baptism questions make any difference? I left slightly after that started. I certainly never was subjected to them. I suppose that was some measure of trying to screen the incoming and "improve quality". Would you be likely nto see a difference, based on that?
Mustang
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larc
Animal, There is the distinct possibility that someone who was not raised as a Witness had symptoms when they converted, which could inflate the numbers. However, there is no correlation between the age that someone became a Witness and the number of symptoms. Therefore, someon raised in it is just as likely to develope symptoms as someone who came into it as an adult. On your other point, symptoms may flair up after someone leaves. While this was evident in a few cases, for the majority of respondents, the number of symptoms have diminished over time. Of course, I did not ask about their symptoms just after leaving versus today, so we can not answer you question with certainty.
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animal
I guess my question was more for discussion than for answering...
I see with my family, my mother and her sisters... they are all pretty F'd up, all thier lives. They grasp at any religion, mostly extreme ones, looking for something. None of them stick to one for long, or flip flop in th and out of them. They also do this with other things in thier lives. They lack the ability to think and make decisions. They are good fodder for cults.
Since being on this site, I see many similarities in people and thier experiences. Those born into JWs may have learned those "bad" traits from thier parent/parents, and had it reinforced by hanging out with other JWs with the same lack of life abilities. Once they finally pull away from those people with similar traits and have to go it alone, they may be lost, unable to make thier own way either physically or mentally. I overcame this, late in life, but my mom and aunts are still the same as they were when they were teens.
Good job on the survey. Too bad you didnt have more numbers to work with. Maybe if you add some useless fluff or a personal attack into the survey next time and you will get 1000s of responses.
Animal
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Francois
Animal certainly makes a good point, and in doing so echoes "The True Believer." There is just something about people who join mass movements that is a half-bubble off plumb - or more.
Great work Larc. Have you read "The True Believer" and if so, a) what do you think of it? and b) how does it fit in with your present survey work here?
francois
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animal
I never read that.... is it good?
Animal
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Francois
Animal, it is so good I would make it required reading for every high school senior in the US if I were in charge. And then, I'd make 'em read it again as college seniors. It sums up cults and mass movements of every kind and stripe. Although it never mentions the WTBTS, it effectively hands them their heads in a sack. And it's a thin book, too. Five ninety-five at your local Barnes & Nobel.
I'd have to put it in the top three of the most important books I've ever read.
Try it. You'll like it.
francois
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larc
Francois, you asked if I have read the True Believer. I have and I think it is an outstanding book. I would recommend it to anyone who has gone through the Witness experience. Regarding how the ideas of this book fit into my survey, I would say that there are probably no true believers in my sample. We only get a few here. They want to convert us to something else, and usually don't stay long, since we don't take well to such recruitment. My guess is that the true believer would not have negative symptoms. The true believer seems to be blissfully confident and self assured in their beliefs. They have the ability to make major changes in what they believe in, for example, a very zealous Catholic becomes an equally zealous Nazi, with no apparent loss in confidence.
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patio34
Thanks Larc, for your very easily understood analysis of your poll. It seems to have yielded what I would have thought. Of course, it may be the ones who are happier who were willing to respond.
Enjoy the rest of your day!
Pat