About
About The Project
The Mandated Shunning Research project is a study led by the University of Roehampton, investigating the psychological and social effects of mandated shunning in high-control religious groups.
About MSRP
The Mandated Shunning Research Project (MSRP) is a University of Roehampton study exploring the psychological, emotional, and social impact of mandated shunning within high-control religious groups.
Through survivor-informed and trauma-aware research, the project examines how coercive social exclusion affects mental health, relationships, identity, and recovery.
MSRP aims to contribute to greater awareness, informed discussion, and evidence-based understanding of mandated shunning and coercive control.
Project Overview
Mandated shunning occurs when individuals are required to cut ties with someone who has left, questioned, or been expelled from a religious group.
While often framed as a religious or private matter, mandated shunning can have profound psychological and social consequences, including trauma, anxiety, depression, isolation, and family separation.
This research combines qualitative interviews and quantitative data to better understand these experiences and their long-term effects.
Research Focus
Psychological Impact
Exploring trauma, anxiety, identity loss, and recovery.
Coercive Control
Understanding how social exclusion may function as psychological and relational control.
Evidence-Based Research
Combining lived experiences with academic methods and survivor-informed research.
Participants
The study includes perspectives from:
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Former members of high-control religious groups
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Therapists and trauma specialists
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Legal professionals
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Human rights advocates
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Religious scholars
Ethics & Safeguarding
Participant wellbeing, confidentiality, and trauma-informed practices are central to the design of this study.
All research procedures follow University of Roehampton ethical standards and safeguarding requirements.