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A Select Abstract from APA 2008

American Psychological Association (APA) 2008

Using The PCI-HAP for Cross-Cultural Research: Positive and Negative Affect and Unsuggested Adverse Effects in A Non-Clinical Setting

Previous research (Pekala, Kumar, Maurer, Elliot-Carter, Moon, & Mullen, in press) theorize that more positive than negative affect is generated, as measured by the sub-dimensions of the Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory (PCI), while using the Phenomenology of Consciousness-Hypnotic Assessment Procedure (PCI-HAP). Their research indicates that most hypnotized individuals experience low incidence of unsuggested negative affect and transient negative physical or cognitive adverse effects during and after the PCI-HAP.

The present study sought to cross-validate Pekala and associates’ findings in a non-clinical experimental setting with practitioners from two distinct spiritual approaches that utilize different attentional strategies idiosyncratic to their meditation style. In these approaches, the United States sample participants (n = 259) practice a dissociative-modality meditation technique daily, whereas the South Korean sample participants (n = 110) practice a mindfulness-modality technique daily.

MANOVA and crosstabulation analyses of the present study lends support to the premise that the PCI-HAP generates significantly greater positive than negative affect as assessed by the PCI; however, the mindfulness-modality group experienced significantly greater positive and negative affect and significantly greater incidence of unsuggested negative affect and transient negative physical or cognitive effects than the dissociative-modality group after the induction.

Overall, 9% (n = 33) of all participants (16% mindfulness-modality; 6% dissociative-modality) reported minor and transient negative effects (e.g., lethargy, light-headedness, grogginess, headache, boredom, impatience, disappointment in not achieving anticipated hypnotic depth) after the induction. Though not significantly different, both groups (11% and 6% respectively) reported minor transient negative effects (e.g., headache, nausea, distraction) during the induction. Some noted anxieties, such as fear of the experience, anger with their visual images, initial discomfort with guided relaxation instructions, and resistance to the PCI-HAP due to its dissimilarity from their meditative practice.

The implications for assessing cross-cultural hypnotic responsivity and incidence of adverse effects while using the PCI-HAP are discussed.

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