Jill Aebi-Mytton (also known as Jill Mytton) is a British Chartered Counselling Psychologist and researcher known for her work on the psychological effects of high-control religious groups, particularly the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (formerly known as the Exclusive Brethren). Her research on former members of the Brethren has been reported in mainstream media and science outlets.
She was interviewed by Richard Dawkins for the Channel 4 documentary The Root of All Evil? and is referenced in Dawkinsâ 2006 book The God Delusion.
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.
Aebi-Mytton trained initially in occupational therapy and mathematics teaching before qualifying in psychology. She later completed a professional doctorate examining the lived experiences of individuals born into and leaving the Exclusive Brethren.
Aebi-Mytton conducted a study involving 264 former members of the Exclusive Brethren examining psychological outcomes following exit from the group.
Reported findings included:
Former members scored significantly higher than general population norms on measures including anxiety, depression, hostility, interpersonal sensitivity, and somatization.