A Christian Healing Energy Study

Statistical, Qualitative, and Factor Analytical Outcomes of a Survey of the Experience of Healing Energy among a Subgroup of the Association of Christian Therapists

Charles Zeiders, Pys.D.
Audrey Jean-Jacques, BA
Sherira Fernandes, PhD
Douglas W Schoeninger, PhD

ABSTRACT

Objective: To examine the experiences and opinions of a group of Christian Health Care professionals regarding “energy healing.”

Background: In the course of Christian healing ministry a sensation of energy can trigger the perception that God is mystically entering the clinical or health-relevant situation. This energy experience is epitomized in the Gospel According to Mark 5:24-31 wherein Jesus physically emanates “Virtue” or “Power” – here conceptualized as “energy” – into a hemorrhaging woman to cure her discharge of blood.

Sample: The Association of Christian Therapists (ACT) is a society of Christian healthcare professionals comprised predominately of charismatic Roman Catholics. It is believed that the majority of surveyed respondents held Masters Degrees or Doctorates (mostly in mental health) and pursued careers in some area of allied healthcare.

Methods: The Christian Healing Energy Survey (CHES) was available on the Internet via the SurveyMonkey® website. The CHES asked forced-choice questions regarding respondents’ energy healing opinions and experiences. On August 4, 2011, the survey was opened, and it was closed on September 7, 2011. A web link was distributed in an official letter to members of the Association of Christian Therapists (ACT), inviting 416 ACT members in the organization’s listserv to complete the survey. Out of the 77 respondents who opened the survey, only 41 people completed it. Only the data of survey completers was used for data analysis. The sample were asked questions about their experience of energy in the course of Christian healing and their experiences and attitudes regarding controversial non-Christian energy practices, whether eastern or science-based. Data collection involved metric and written reposes to items.

Data Analysis: CHES data was analyzed in 4 ways: 1) Percentage of Yes/No responses for each item; 2) Qualitative analysis of written responses. 3) Factor analysis, and 4) Trend analysis.

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