Need Help on Research Survey

from Tori - Wednesday, October 26, 2005
accessed 1614 times

Hello my name is Victoria Schraeder. Although I am not a former member of the Children of God, I was born into another similar cult which some of you might know, I'SOT. My mother was placed there, her name is Camille Schraeder and my father was there for recovery. I never had to live the horror that my mother and many other family members had to but I was not uneffected by its brutality. Therefore I have been interested in the cult phenomenon for many years and I finally have the oppurtunity to study them empirically.

I am in a research class were I was able to pick a topic to research and also create and administer a survey where I will then be able to draw conclusions which will help me write my final analysis. The topic I have chosen to study is how cult affiliation effects former cult members. This is why I have come to you all. I have known about this community for a while through my mother and my uncle Michael Martella, who both know some of you.

Hello my name is Victoria Schraeder and I am in a research class at San Francisco State University. I have a project were I have to administer a survey on a research topic. I am interested in studying the effects of cults on former cult members. These surveys will be completely confidential, therefore I would greatly appreciate it if you could answer the questions without reservation. Thank you so much for your help in my project.

1. What were your reasons for joining the cult,? Check all that apply
( ) feelings of loneliness, rejection, sadness, and lack of belonging
( ) drifting through life and feeling that life lacks meaning
( ) personal or family crisis or unpleasant situation
( ) recruited by a member of the cult
( ) other:______________________________________________

2. What was your overall cultic experience?
positive
( ) negative
( ) neutral
( ) mixed

3. What was the level of physical abuse you experienced in the cult?
( ) severe physical abuse
( ) moderate physical abuse
( ) minimal physical abuse
( ) no physical abuse

4. What was the level of mental and emotional abuse (name calling, public ridicule, humiliation, dominance, etc.) you experienced in the cult?
( ) severe mental abuse
( ) moderate mental abuse
( ) minimal mental abuse
( ) no mental abuse

5. What was the level of sexual abuse you experienced in the cult?
( ) severe sexual abuse
( ) moderate sexual abuse
( ) minimal sexual abuse
( ) no sexual abuse

6. What had more of an affect on you life after leaving the cult?
( ) physical abuse
( ) mental abuse
( ) emotional abuse
( ) sexual abuse
( ) neither had an affect
( ) both had some substantial affect

7. What, if any, symptoms followed your exit from the cult? Check all that apply.
( ) anxiety/fear/worry
( ) anger toward leader
( ) low self-confidence
( ) flashbacks
( ) depression
( ) hopelessness
( ) other:___________________________________

8. After exiting the cult what, if any, type of help or support did you receive? Check all that apply.
( ) voluntary deprogramming
( ) voluntary exit counseling
( ) involuntary deprogramming
( ) involuntary exit counseling
( ) outside support groups
( ) family support
( ) no support at all

9. How long did you participate in any support services?
( ) 1-6 months
( ) 7-12 months
( ) 1-3 years
( ) more than three years
( ) none

10. I have built new and positive relationships, who are unaffiliated with the cult I belonged to, after leaving the cult.
( ) strongly agree
( ) agree
( ) disagree
( ) strongly disagree
( ) no answer

11. I have become part of a community and actively participate in community services.
( ) strongly agree
( ) agree
( ) disagree
( ) strongly disagree
( ) no answer

12. After leaving the cult, I received more education were I earned:
( ) high school diploma
( ) 2-year college degree
( ) 4-year college degree
( ) masters degree
( ) PhD or doctorate
( ) Other

13. After leaving the cult, I received vocational training for a specific job:
( ) yes, _______________________________
( ) no

14. Sex
( ) Female
( ) Male

15. Age:_____

16. The name of the cult that you were involved with: _____________________________