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Shunning and family · Claim record

A 2023 interview study of ten former Witnesses (Luther, Pastoral Psychology) concluded that shunning 'has a long-term, detrimental effect on mental health, job possibilities, and life satisfaction', with loneliness, loss of control and worthlessness common after leaving.

Claim ID claim-shunning-research-luther-2023Concerns 31 December 2022Independent finding
Independent finding · 31 December 2022 Verified

A 2023 interview study of ten former Witnesses (Luther, Pastoral Psychology) concluded that shunning 'has a long-term, detrimental effect on mental health, job possibilities, and life satisfaction', with loneliness, loss of control and worthlessness common after leaving. Pastoral Psychology, 72(1): 105-120 (online 31 Dec 2022), 31 December 2022

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Peer-reviewed / scholarly Verified

Pastoral Psychology, 72(1): 105-120 (online 31 Dec 2022), “What Happens to Those Who Exit Jehovah’s Witnesses: An Investigation of the Impact of Shunning”

31 December 2022 · pp.105-120 · Abstract · Rosie Luther · Springer

“Results suggest shunning has a long-term, detrimental effect on mental health, job possibilities, and life satisfaction. ... Feelings of loneliness, loss of control, and worthlessness are also common after leaving.”

Ten former JWs (USA, aged 20-44) interviewed; interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Official source

Provenance and verification note

Confidence note. PubMed Central full text (PMC9803876) opened; abstract confirmed verbatim; citation verified against Crossref.

Accessed. 19 September 2026 · Source ID. src-luther-2023-what-happens-exit

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