Psychological Recovery From Religious Cult Defenses: A Feminist and Interpretive Hermeneutic Perspective

Abstract

This dissertation employs a hermeneutic methodology to explore how patriarchal religious cults utilize borderline-level defenses, as conceptualized in object relations theory, to control and subjugate women. Psychological mechanisms such as splitting, projection, and projective identification reinforce rigid gender hierarchies, conditioning women to internalize dependency, shame, and fear of external influences. Women, particularly those raised in such high-control environments, often endure profound psychological and emotional costs, surrendering their power, sense of self, and ability to develop healthy coping mechanisms. For multigenerational cult members, this process is even more entrenched, as their entire sense of identity is often shaped by the cultic framework, leaving little room for self-determination or external reference points. Cultic systems foster psychological regression, keeping women emotionally dependent and discouraging independent thought. This internalized framework reinforces reliance on male authority, preventing individuation and maintaining control over their beliefs and behaviors. Through hermeneutic interpretation, this study examines how these psychological defenses function as tools of oppression, using a feminist lens to analyze the intersection of religious ideology, psychological control, and gender-based subjugation. Additionally, it explores the long-term effects on women who leave, including identity fragmentation, relational struggles, and challenges in reclaiming autonomy. By integrating object relations theory with feminist critique, this research offers a comprehensive analysis of high-control patriarchal systems, providing critical insights into women’s lived experiences and the internalized cognitive frameworks that perpetuate their subjugation.