Pulled from the Shoreline in Search of Spacious Spirituality: The Journeys of Women of Evangelical Christian Backgrounds
Date
2023-01-05
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Abstract
This study explored the lived experience of spiritual distress (SD) from the perspective of four women aged 25-35 years from evangelical Christian (EC) backgrounds in Western Canada. Using a qualitative design, interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) and semi-structured interviews, this exploratory study revealed SD to be a dynamic, tension-filled, ongoing journey. The journey is metaphorically characterized by four ocean-themed, non-linear phases: 1) inhabiting the familiar yet limiting shoreline of EC; 2) being pulled out to the expansive, unknown sea; 3) navigating the storm and contending with existential uncertainty, relational wounding, and traumatic experiences within EC; and 4) floating in an unfinished, yet more tenable and spacious spirituality. Importantly, all four phases were affected by two undercurrents: 1) ongoing tensions, and 2) isolation and loss. These findings illuminate an SD journey that pulled participants from the containment of EC to a more nourishing, spacious spirituality more aligned with their values and burgeoning self-authorship. This thesis hopes to honor oft-silenced stories of SD and encourage deeper awareness and understanding regarding SD in social work research, policy, practice, and education.
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religion, spirituality, evangelical Christianity, interpretative phenomenological analysis, spiritual distress
Citation
De Vynck, E. A. (2023). Pulled from the shoreline in search of spacious spirituality: the journeys of women of evangelical Christian backgrounds (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.