Pulled from the Shoreline in Search of Spacious Spirituality: The Journeys of Women of Evangelical Christian Backgrounds

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dc.contributor.advisorBoynton, Heather
dc.contributor.advisorBurns, Victoria
dc.contributor.authorDe Vynck, Emma A.
dc.contributor.committeememberGroen, Janet
dc.contributor.committeememberEnns, Richard
dc.date2023-02
dc.date.accessioned2023-01-17T20:13:56Z
dc.date.available2023-01-17T20:13:56Z
dc.date.issued2023-01-05
dc.description.abstractThis 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.en_US
dc.identifier.citationDe 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.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1880/115682
dc.identifier.urihttps://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/40600
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.publisher.facultySocial Worken_US
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Calgaryen
dc.rightsUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.en_US
dc.subjectreligionen_US
dc.subjectspiritualityen_US
dc.subjectevangelical Christianityen_US
dc.subjectinterpretative phenomenological analysisen_US
dc.subjectspiritual distressen_US
dc.subject.classificationSocial Worken_US
dc.titlePulled from the Shoreline in Search of Spacious Spirituality: The Journeys of Women of Evangelical Christian Backgroundsen_US
dc.typemaster thesisen_US
thesis.degree.disciplineSocial Worken_US
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Calgaryen_US
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Social Work (MSW)en_US
ucalgary.item.requestcopytrueen_US
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