Pastoral Identity Constructed in Care-Giving Relationships

Abstract

From developmental and training perspectives, previous studies have defined pastoral identity as an individual property of pastoral practitioners. Grounded on an empirical study of interviewing 20 pastoral counselors and chaplains, this paper presents pastoral identity as a social construction between pastoral caregivers and seekers (and God in the midst). Informed by a recent social-psychological approach to identity, the paper explores one possibility for an interactional, intersubjective, and constructive paradigm of pastoral identity.

Taking Inventory and Moving Forward: A Review of the Research Literature and Assessment of Qualitative Research in JPCC, 2010–2014

“…Stated -Landes, 2010a;Fischer et al, 2010;Fowler et al, 2010;Asgeirsdottir et al, 2012;Snodgrass, 2014;Hendron et al, 2014Suggested (12) -O'Connor et al, 2010Fowler et al, 2010;Chandler, 2010;Daniels et al, 2011;Park, 2012;Ragsdale et al, 2012;Isgandarova, 2012;Baeke et al, 2012;Garner, 2013;Cramer, 2013;Rudolfson et al, 2013. Ethnographic approach 2Stated -O'Connor et al, 2010; Isgandarova, 2012 Case study, Case examples (8 + 6 + 4)…”

“…Suggested -Theoretical with case illustration (4) -deGroot et al, 2011; Bowland, 2011;Anderson, 2012;Ballaban, 2014. Grounded theory (5) Stated -Townsend, 2011;Park, 2012;Ragsdale et al, 2012;Baeke et al, 2012;Pan et al, 2012 Narrative approach (3 + 6) Stated -Temple-Jones, 2012; Marsay, 2013; Ballaban, 2014 Suggested (6) - Ashby et al, 2010;Kae-Je, 2012;Anderson, 2012;Alexander, 2012;Angelica, 2013;Eccles, 2014 Qualitative (18) No stated research type/method in title, abstract, keywords 9Stated -O' Connor et al, 2010;Landes, 2010a;Fowler et al, 2010;Chandler, 2010;Townsend, 2011;Mason et al, 2011;Temple-Jones, 2012;Park, 2012;Ragsdale et al, 2012;Baeke et al, 2012;Garner, 2013;Cramer et al, 2013;Brown, McCreary, 2014;Asgeirsdottir et al, 2014;Snodgrass, 2014;Eddins et al, 2014;Hendron et al, 2014Ashby et al, 2010Daniels et al, 2011;Snodgrass, 2012;Kae-Je, 2012;Alexander, 2012;Marsay, 2012;Angelica, 2013;Alexander, 2013;Eccles, 2014 grows from emergent issues in SCC practice, it may be a moot point as to whether the case or the theory is presented first in a given article. In another 6 qualitative articles case studies are indicated but not stated as su...…”

“…That is to say, it is difficult to assess the extent to which the findings of research are considered to be relative and value-laden but still to relate to a larger whole of reality (as with post-positivist and critical realist paradigms) or are considered to demonstrate how reality and meanings are constructed (within purely constructivist paradigms). Three studies utilize language that suggests a constructivist epistemology (‘constructivist’ – Townsend, 2011; ‘social constructivist’ – Temple-Jones, 2012; ‘social construction’ – Park, 2012). However, utilizing constructivist epistemology does not necessarily presuppose constructivist ontology or paradigm, as Root’s description of critical realism has shown (Root, 2014: 189–242), so it is difficult to assess in terms of these criteria.…”

Theory and practice of chaplain′s spiritual care process: A psychiatrist′s experiences of chaplaincy and conceptualizing trans-personal model of mindfulness

“…Research studies on chaplaincy have focused on understanding their role in health care,[ 11 12 ] their service utilization,[ 13 14 15 ] as well as the clinical outcomes of their services,[ 16 17 ] but there are no studies describing their spiritual care processes and/or possible scientific mechanisms underlying this approach. This paper presents a typical clinical interaction between a chaplain and his patient.…”