University of SaskatchewanHARVEST
  • Login
  • Submit Your Work
  • About
    • About HARVEST
    • Guidelines
    • Browse
      • All of HARVEST
      • Communities & Collections
      • By Issue Date
      • Authors
      • Titles
      • Subjects
      • This Collection
      • By Issue Date
      • Authors
      • Titles
      • Subjects
    • My Account
      • Login
      JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.
      View Item 
      • HARVEST
      • Electronic Theses and Dissertations
      • Graduate Theses and Dissertations
      • View Item
      • HARVEST
      • Electronic Theses and Dissertations
      • Graduate Theses and Dissertations
      • View Item

      THE EXPERIENCE OF SPIRITUAL COPING AMONG ADULT WOMEN SURVIVORS OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

      Thumbnail
      View/Open
      WIEBE-THESIS.pdf (2.147Mb)
      Date
      2011-12-22
      Author
      Wiebe, Angela
      Type
      Thesis
      Degree Level
      Masters
      Metadata
      Show full item record
      Abstract
      The purpose of the present study was to examine the lived experiences of spiritual coping among adult women survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA). It has recently been suggested that the research on the adjustment of CSA survivors be broadened to include new aspects of coping, as well as the processes that promote resilience. Studies have only recently started to examine how religious and/or spiritual coping impact adjustment to significant life events including illness, death of a child, and terrorist events. However, very few empirical studies have specifically investigated the role of spiritual coping in relation to CSA. Spirituality has been found to be a protective factor for the development of various psychological problems such as the development of depression, shame, and interpersonal difficulties. For some CSA survivors, spirituality or religion has been found to be a factor in resilience and healing. Giorgi’s Empirical Phenomenological Approach guided the exploration of the lived experience of women who have experienced spiritual coping in relation to healing from their CSA. Three women between the ages of 45 and 48 were recruited through purposeful sampling and data were generated through in-depth interviews. The data was analyzed following the empirical phenomenological approach and generated five invariants and an essential structure. The invariants that emerged were: “Innately Bad:” Blame and Responsibility; “Living a Lie:” Confronting Hypocrisy; “Wandering the Wilderness:” Searching; “Worm to Butterfly:” Transformation; “Bringing Me to Shore:” Support. The implications of the invariants and essential structure as well as considerations for future research and for mental health professionals are discussed.
      Degree
      Master of Education (M.Ed.)
      Department
      Educational Psychology and Special Education
      Program
      School and Counselling Psychology
      Supervisor
      Martin, Dr. Stephanie
      Committee
      McIntyre, Dr. Laureen; Nicol, Dr. Jennifer
      Copyright Date
      November 2011
      URI
      http://hdl.handle.net/10388/ETD-2011-11-196
      Subject
      Child Sexual Abuse
      Spiritual Coping
      Positive Spiritual Coping
      Negative Spiritual Coping
      Resilience
      Collections
      • Graduate Theses and Dissertations
      University of Saskatchewan

      University Library

      The University of Saskatchewan's main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis.

      © University of Saskatchewan
      Contact Us | Disclaimer | Privacy