Martyr complex

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In psychology, a person who has a martyr complex desires the feeling of being a martyr for its own sake, seeking out suffering or persecution because it feeds a psychological need.

In some cases, this results from the belief that the martyr has been singled out for persecution due to exceptional ability or integrity.[1] Theologian Paul Johnson considers such beliefs a topic of concern for the mental health of clergy.[2] Other martyr complexes involve willful suffering in the name of love or duty. This has been observed in women, especially in poor families, in codependant or abusive relationships.[3][4] It has also been described as a facet of Jewish-American folklore.[5]

The desire for martyrdom is sometimes considered a form of masochism.[6] Allan Berger, however, described it as one of several patterns of "pain/suffering seeking behavior", including asceticism and penance.[7]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Davis, Sheldon E. (Sep 1945). "What Are Modern Martyrs Worth?". Peabody Journal of Education 23 (2): 67–68. 
  2. ^ Johnson, Paul E. (Jan 1970). "The emotional health of the clergy". Journal of Religion and Health 9 (1): 50–50. 
  3. ^ Lewis, Oscar (Oct-Dec 1949). "Husbands and Wives in a Mexican Village: A Study of Role Conflict". American Anthropologist 51 (4): 602–610. doi:10.1525/aa.1949.51.4.02a00050. 
  4. ^ Kutner, Nancy G. (Mar 1975). "The Poor Vs. the Non-poor: an Ethnic and Metropolitan-Nonmetropolitan Comparison". The Sociological Quarterly 16 (2): 250–263. doi:10.1111/j.1533-8525.1975.tb00943.x. 
  5. ^ Dundes, Alan (Oct-Dec 1985). "The J. A. P. and the J. A. M. in American Jokelore". The Journal of American Folklore 98 (390): 456–475. doi:10.2307/540367. 
  6. ^ Seligman, David B. (May 1970). "Masochism". Australasian Journal of Philosophy 48 (1): 67–75. doi:10.1080/00048407012341471. 
  7. ^ Berger, Allen S. (Sep 2003). "Choosing to Suffer: Reflections on an Enigma". Journal of Religion and Health 42 (3): 251–255. doi:10.1023/A:1024843702805. 
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