Jill Aebi-Mytton

Aebi-Mytton was born into the Exclusive Brethren in southeast England. Her family left the Brethren in 1960 during a major schism associated with the leadership of James Taylor Jr., particularly over new rules prohibiting members from eating with non-members. In interviews, she has described her childhood as socially restrictive and shaped by fear-based religious teachings. ==Education and professional career==

Aebi-Mytton trained initially in occupational therapy and mathematics teaching before qualifying in psychology. ==Research==

Aebi-Mytton conducted a study involving 264 former members of the Exclusive Brethren examining psychological outcomes following exit from the group. Reported findings included: • 70% of respondents lost contact with family after leaving; • 84% reported severe emotional distress upon leaving; • 27% reported childhood sexual abuse within the context of their upbringing. Former members scored significantly higher than general population norms on measures including anxiety, depression, hostility, interpersonal sensitivity, and somatization. ==Publications==

• Aebi-Mytton, Jill (2017). A narrative exploration of the lived experience of being born, raised in, and leaving a cultic group: the case of the Exclusive Brethren. Doctoral thesis, Middlesex University / Metanoia Institute. ==References==