An interpretative phenomenological analysis of 'being religious' in emerging adults within a tertiary education setting

Phenomenological Study ◽

Tertiary Education ◽

Future Research ◽

Hermeneutic Phenomenological ◽

Therapeutic Religion ◽

Being Religious

Research in the last 30 years has shown that young people have been increasingly turning away from religion during the period of emerging adulthood, despite the benefits that religious people experience. The present hermeneutic phenomenological study explored the meaning of young adults’ experiences of being religious in a New Zealand tertiary education setting. Phenomenological interviewing was used to capture the experiences of 10 religious students, including how they practise their religion and what they believe, with the aim of developing a deeper understanding of what being religious meant for them. An interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) of the findings showed that being religious meant: having a relationship with God, being different to one’s secular peers, experiencing challenges, and that being religious was ultimately constructive. Many of the students experienced challenges to their religious beliefs and identities from fellow students, teachers and at an institutional level. The benefits of being religious outweighed the challenges and included: praying being therapeutic, religion providing support and helping define the students’ life purpose and identity. The implications of the study are discussed in relation to raising awareness about the importance of mutual respect, moving beyond religious tolerance to fully inclusive education and improving the integration of religious students in tertiary environments through curricular and co-curricular activities and programmes. Recommendations for future research include a greater focus on assessing the extent of the challenges religious tertiary students’ experience, and examining whether students of particular religious traditions experience unique challenges and benefits.

Sustainable Leadership: A Phenomenological Study of CEO Wellbeing

10.31124/advance.16685545.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

charlotte wiseman ◽

Yannick Jacob ◽

Meggy Belowski

Keyword(s):

Phenomenological Study ◽

Research Literature ◽

Professional Services ◽

Future Research ◽

Sustainable Leadership ◽

Post Traumatic Growth ◽

Post Traumatic ◽

And Performance

While the links between wellbeing and performance are well demonstrated, the topic of CEO wellbeing has received little attention in the research literature. This study offers insights into how CEOs experience and recover from a crisis of wellbeing. Three male CEOs from the professional services industry were interviewed. Three themes emerged from an interpretative phenomenological analysis of the data: energy management, increased responsibility and relationships. Results demonstrate the potential for post-traumatic growth and highlight the need for updated models of resilience and leadership. Pragmatic elements were added to the IPA process in order to arrive at suggestions on how CEOs may better manage and sustain their wellbeing. Implications for the organisation as well as suggested future research are discussed.

Sustainable Leadership: A Phenomenological Study of CEO Wellbeing

10.31124/advance.16685545 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

charlotte wiseman ◽

Yannick Jacob ◽

Meggy Belowski

Keyword(s):

Phenomenological Study ◽

Research Literature ◽

Professional Services ◽

Future Research ◽

Sustainable Leadership ◽

Post Traumatic Growth ◽

Post Traumatic ◽

And Performance

While the links between wellbeing and performance are well demonstrated, the topic of CEO wellbeing has received little attention in the research literature. This study offers insights into how CEOs experience and recover from a crisis of wellbeing. Three male CEOs from the professional services industry were interviewed. Three themes emerged from an interpretative phenomenological analysis of the data: energy management, increased responsibility and relationships. Results demonstrate the potential for post-traumatic growth and highlight the need for updated models of resilience and leadership. Pragmatic elements were added to the IPA process in order to arrive at suggestions on how CEOs may better manage and sustain their wellbeing. Implications for the organisation as well as suggested future research are discussed.

Gender Aware Music Therapy: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

Music Therapy Perspectives ◽

10.1093/mtp/miab007 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Cassidy Besse

Keyword(s):

Music Therapy ◽

Gender Stereotypes ◽

Phenomenological Study ◽

Future Research ◽

Music Therapists ◽

Individual Interviews ◽

Inclusive Practice ◽

Therapy Clients

Abstract The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the influence of gender on music therapy practice through the experiences and perceptions of gender aware music therapists (GAMTs). Participants (N = 5) included five board-certified music therapists or equivalent who have published scholarly literature on topics related to gender and music therapy. Participants shared their experiences in semistructured individual interviews; interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Six major themes emerged: (a) GAMTs recognize how socialization produces binary music participation, which is often perpetuated in music therapy practice; (b) GAMTs share the belief that gender roles and expectations create exclusive music practices that may restrict and limit musical expression and participation; (c) GAMTs create therapeutic spaces that encourage authentic music engagement by thoughtfully accepting and/or rejecting established gender stereotypes prevalent in music culture; (d) GAMTs suggest that gender is a marker of identity, which may or may not affect how the therapeutic relationship develops between music therapy clients and clinicians; (e) GAMTs utilize theories and therapeutic approaches that influence their music therapy research and practice; and (f) GAMTs recommend that practicing music therapists recognize their personal biases, develop a heightened awareness for how gender influences society, and actively pursue an inclusive practice that does not assume gender. Clinical implications and future research recommendations are discussed.

Working in disability employment: An interpretative phenomenological study of experiences of people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia

British Journal of Occupational Therapy ◽

10.1177/03080226211039429 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 030802262110394

Author(s):

Namino Ottewell

Keyword(s):

Mental Illness ◽

Work Experience ◽

Phenomenological Study ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Future Research ◽

Psychosocial Disability ◽

Low Levels ◽

Disability Employment

Aim To understand how employees with schizophrenia in disability employment interpret their work experience. Method Nine people with schizophrenia were interviewed. Data were analysed with the interpretative phenomenological analysis. Results All participants regarded themselves as ‘persons with mental illness’. Some participants developed their mental illness identity by realising that working without accommodations is difficult. Although participants found working in the current company comfortable because the supervisors provided appropriate accommodations, they were dissatisfied with low salary. A proportion of the participants felt dissatisfaction with the menial work, which led to low levels of self-esteem as they viewed non-disability employment of higher value. In addition, the present study noted a difference between self-labelling and labelling by others; although participants regarded themselves as ‘persons with mental illness’, they felt reluctant to be viewed as such by others. Most of the participants wanted to work in non-disability employment in future for financial and personal reasons, such as to increase self-esteem. Conclusion It is imperative that benefits and other issues in disability employment for people with psychosocial disability relating to mental illness are explored more broadly in future research. Further, employers must create healthy workplaces, for all employees regardless of disability can benefit from it.

Identity in transition: an interpretative phenomenological analysis of international humanitarian workers’ experiences of returning home

Journal of International Humanitarian Action ◽

10.1186/s41018-021-00091-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Emilia Marie Wersig ◽

Kevin Wilson-Smith

Keyword(s):

Moral Values ◽

Future Research ◽

Aid Workers ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Work Settings ◽

Returning Home ◽

The Uk ◽

Humanitarian Work

AbstractThis interpretative phenomenological analysis explores aid workers’ understanding of identity and belonging through the transition from working in humanitarian aid to returning home. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 participants who had returned to the UK after working in recently founded non-governmental organisations in Northern France between 2016 and 2019. Analysis of interview data identified four superordinate themes: (1) shared humanitarian identity, (2) limits and borders, (3) holding on to humanitarian identity and (4) redefining belonging and identity. Aid workers’ belonging in humanitarian work settings is rooted in shared moral values and being able to fulfil a clearly defined role. Upon returning, aid workers struggled to reintegrate, manifesting as denial of having left humanitarian work, re-creation of the social setting and moral demarcation. Participants formed a new sense of belonging through redefining their social in-group. The study sheds light on a previously unexplored area of research, specifically characterised through the closeness of the international humanitarian setting and participants’ homes. Findings suggest organisations can assist aid workers’ re-entry by supporting professional distance in the field, and through opportunities that allow to sustain moral values post-mission. Future research should focus on the role of peer support in the re-entry process and the re-entry experiences of aid workers returning from comparable settings further afield (e.g. Greece).

Understanding the Experience of Discovering a Kindred Spirit Connection: A Phenomenological Study

Phenomenology & Practice ◽

10.29173/pandpr19855 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Linda Finlay ◽

Virginia Eatough

Keyword(s):

Phenomenological Study ◽

Mutual Exchange ◽

Hermeneutic Phenomenological ◽

Psychotherapy Practice

Preliminary existential hermeneutic phenomenological analysis of data based on 24 protocols, and our own reflexive discussion, reveals how “kindred spirit connections” manifest in myriad elusive, evocative ways. These special connections are experienced variously from briefly felt moments of friendship to enduringly profound body-soul love connections. This paper explicates five intertwined dimensions: shared bonding; the mutual exchange and affirmation of fellowship; the destined meeting or relationship; immediate bodily-felt attraction; and the pervasive presence of love. A wide ranging literature around the theme of love is outlined and the concept of kindred spirit is briefly applied to the psychotherapy practice context.

Reviews: Biological Psychology: An Illustrated Survival Guide, Evolution and Genetics for Psychology, Exploring Developmental Psychology: Understanding Theory and Methods, Fundamentals of Psychology, Historical and Conceptual Issues in Psychology, Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis: Theory, Method and Research, Psychology for Inclusive Education: New Directions in the Theory and Practice, The Psychology Companion, The Sage Handbook of Quantitative Methods in Psychology, Study Skills for Psychology Students, Writing Essays at University: A Guide for Students by Students

Psychology Learning & Teaching ◽

10.2304/plat.2010.9.1.53 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 52-63

Author(s):

Hillary B. Katz ◽

Joseph Leach ◽

Gemma Reynolds ◽

Sue Wilkinson ◽

Philip T. Smith ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Inclusive Education ◽

Study Skills ◽

Quantitative Methods ◽

Developmental Psychology ◽

Psychology Students ◽

Theory And Practice ◽

Analysis Theory ◽

New Directions

Caring for people with severe myalgic encephalomyelitis: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of parents’ experiences

Journal of Health Psychology ◽

10.1177/1359105315587137 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 21 (12) ◽

pp. 2824-2837 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Martina Mihelicova ◽

Zachary Siegel ◽

Meredyth Evans ◽

Abigail Brown ◽

Leonard Jason

Keyword(s):

Lived Experience ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Coping Mechanisms ◽

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis ◽

Future Research ◽

Identity Change ◽

Guilt Feeling ◽

Parents Experiences

Experiences of parents who care for sons or daughters with severe myalgic encephalomyelitis are rarely discussed within the literature. Narratives of parent–carers in Lost Voices from a Hidden Illness were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. This study aimed to give voices to those who care for individuals with myalgic encephalomyelitis and are often stigmatized and inform future research supporting parent–carers. Results included themes of identity change, guilt, feeling like outsiders, uncertainty, changing perceptions of time, coping mechanisms, and improvement/symptom management. Findings could inform the development of carer-focused interventions and provide vital information to health professionals about parent–carers’ lived experience.

Building Connections: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Qualitative Research Students’ Learning Experiences

The Qualitative Report ◽

10.46743/2160-3715/2012.1780 ◽

2015 ◽

Author(s):

Robin Cooper ◽

Anne Fleisher ◽

Fatima Cotton

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Research ◽

Lived Experience ◽

Phenomenological Study ◽

School Level ◽

Post Secondary ◽

Academic Fields ◽

Secondary School Level ◽

Research Students

This paper describes a phenomenological study in which the authors explored students’ experiences learning qualitative research in a variety of academic fields. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with six participants from various academic fields who had completed at least one post-secondary-school-level qualitative research course and who were not students of the researchers. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), the researchers identified five primary themes representing the lived experience and meaning found in the participants’ experience of learning qualitative research: (a) a variety of feelings are experienced, (b) a pivotal experience serves as a catalyst in the learning process, (c) the central role of story, (d) active learning, and (e) relating learning to prior knowledge. The findings both support and contribute new aspects to the knowledge of this experience. The results also point to “building connections” as the essence of the phenomenon of learning qualitative research.