The evolving self: finding meaning in near-death experiences using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

Abstract

Near-death experiences (NDEs) have become a topic of increasing interest to medical and psychological researchers over the last 35 years. During the course of this research agenda, several studies have focused on the phenomenology of the experience and its after-effects, mostly from a nomothetic stance. The aim of this study was to investigate the experience of having an NDE and what meaning NDErs attribute to that experience and its resultant after-effects by taking an idiographic, phenomenological approach. Three female participants took part in recorded face-to-face, semi-structured interviews. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis found that to more deeply understand the impact of NDEs it is crucial to consider how the experience fits within the biographical context of an individual's life. Rather than being an overall influence on personal and spiritual growth, individuals may choose elements of an experience which are most personally meaningful for them and take that into their later lives. Each participant in some way came to a new understanding in their lives as a result of their NDE. In addition, the process of integration was helped or hindered by physical and psychological factors concomitant at the time of the NDE. Also evident were the challenges the NDE, or elements therein, have on the individual's sense of self and how they maintain and develop that self in the years succeeding the event.

Keywords:

• Near-death experience
• qualitative methodology
• interpretive phenomenological analysis

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the Bial Foundation, a Parapsychological Association Research Endowment, and also, in part, by a Faculty Scholarship Fund granted by the Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences at the University of Manchester. We would also like to express our gratitude to all. We would also like to thank the two reviewers for their constructive comments on an earlier draft of this paper.

Notes

Note

1. Some readers may be concerned about the small sample size and the potential generalizability of the results to the wider NDE population. Smith and Eatough (2006) point out that IPA is an idiographic approach to data collection and analysis, and this is mainly considerate of honouring the richness of the individual's account. Smith and Osborn (2008) have argued that IPA is not opposed to more general claims for larger populations, but is “committed to the painstaking analysis of cases rather than jumping to generalizations” (p. 54). They further argue that while generalizable claims regarding a sample in a single IPA study would not be made, as more studies with other samples are carried out with similar findings, more general claims would become possible. However, they refer to this as “theoretical generalizability,” rather than “empirical generalizability.” With regards to the data presented in this study, the authors wish to make it clear that the focus of interest was on the detailed experience and meaning of the NDE for the individual participants, without claiming that these experiences are universal to all NDEs or NDErs.