Spiritual Health—Te Taha Wairua

The significance of spiritual health in the Māori model of health. Author notes resistance in secular society to the term ‘spiritual’ and broadens the term to encompass our search for meaning: why we are here, why we exist. Maslow and our esteem needs, notably an acknowledgement of our capacities, achievements, and adequacy, by others and ourselves, to gain a sense of ‘being useful in the world’. The definition of spirituality from the Oxford Textbook of Spirituality in Healthcare as ‘the way people engage with the purpose and meaning of human existence’. Using the framework from acceptance and commitment therapy, the author’s personal experience of defining his personal values. His reflection on his own personal beliefs and his personal journey to self-discovery. The concept of inner child work and its role in existential health and healing. A client’s own experience of finding his inner child. The concept of ‘best me’. Maslow’s theory of motivation. The concept of flourishing and the author’s personal self-assessment. The US psychiatrist Dr M. Scott Peck’s book The Road Less Travelled, and his insight that it takes courage to make tough life decisions. The power of the stories we tell ourselves.

PSICODRAMA, BULIMIA NERVOSA NA ADOLESCÊNCIA E AFETIVIDADE

Adolescence is a period marked by several biopsychosocial changes, such as the body. When this change does not correspond to the socially established standard of beauty, adolescents need to deal with frustrations and prejudices, which can lead them to become ill. This research is a case study of an adolescent who suffered from Bulimia Nervosa. In this article we will present the results of psychodramatic psychotherapy, especially the therapeutic work of the wounded inner child and the affective logic of conduct that favored the improvement of her eating disorder. We will also analyze how the body carries the socio-cultural scenes, in the search for affections in relationships. By reliving these scenes, in surplus reality, the patient can re-signify experiences of suffering that have released spontaneity-creativity and develop less suffered vincular modalities.

From 9 to 91: health promotion through the life-course—illuminating the inner child

Summary A life-course perspective is according to the World Health Organization about increasing the effectiveness of health promotion interventions at all ages. This targets the needs of human beings throughout their life. Descriptions of the phenomenon of the inner child invite the possibility that it may be of help when promoting health throughout the life-course. The aim was to describe and understand schoolchildren’s, adults and older person’s experiences of childhood in connection to health and well-being in the present and through the life-course, illuminating the inner child. The research strategy used was a secondary analysis of the original transcribed data from three Swedish studies investigating new questions. In total, 53 individuals aged 9–91, 20 school children, 20 adults and 13 older persons were interviewed about childhood experiences. The schoolchildren were invited to create a drawing, and to narrate about it during the interview. The main question in the secondary analysis was ‘How do the participants’ narrations about childhood experiences illuminate the inner child, useful for health promotion through the life-course?’ The findings showed the importance of a secure atmosphere and trusting relationships, indicating that experiences during childhood can help us to adapt and pass along life lessons across generations. There were narratives about play as an activity where they learned to promote a healthy childhood, struggle for independence and learning how to be responsible when growing up. Dimensions of mental, social and existential well-being can be seen as examples of the inner child’s role in health promotion through the life-course.