Coping After Shunning: Experiences of Former Jehovah’s Witnesses in the United Kingdom

The process of being shunned by the Jehovah’s Witnesses community for failing to meet its expected moral and behavioural standards is a complex experience that may significantly impact individuals’ physical and emotional well-being. This study explores qualitatively the coping strategies adopted by individuals who have experienced religious shunning, drawing on a specific segment of findings from a broader United Kingdom-based study. Twenty-one former Jehovah’s Witnesses who were officially shunned were interviewed online or by phone, and the data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Two overarching themes were identified: personal stagnation and personal progression. Some participants initially adopted coping strategies shaped by their previous experiences within the community, including risk-taking behaviours and emotional withdrawal, which reflected the continued influence of the group’s belief system and hindered their psychological recovery. In contrast, the majority of participants demonstrated resilience and psychological growth. They employed adaptive coping mechanisms such as cognitive reappraisal, information seeking, social support, and acts of advocacy that enabled them to reframe their experiences, distance themselves from the group’s control, and reclaim a coherent sense of self. These findings underscore the varied responses to religious shunning and the significance of identity processes in shaping post-shunning adjustment.