The lived experience of spiritual abuse

Ward, David

doi:10.1080/13674676.2010.536206

Cited by 39 publications

(40 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Historically, researchers use the term R/S abuse to examine nonmainstream R/S situations, particularly with regard to individuals who have recently left cults (Langone, ; Ward, ). Researchers also use the term R/S abuse in conjunction with other terms such as physical abuse (Bent‐Goodley & Fowler, ; Dehan & Levi, ).…”

Section: R/s Abusementioning

confidence: 99%

“…One definition of R/S abuse is the “mistreatment of a person who is in need of help, support, or greater spiritual empowerment with the result of weakening, undermining, or decreasing that person's spiritual empowerment” (Johnson & vanVonderen, , p. 20). In addition, Ward () emphasized that individuals in leadership positions can perpetrate R/S abuse to produce conformity within R/S communities. Other researchers use the term R/S abuse to refer to physical, sexual, or psychological abuse perpetrated by those in power within R/S communities (Gubi & Jacobs, ).…”

Section: R/s Abusementioning

confidence: 99%

“…We include institutional and denominational components of religion in the definition of R/S abuse, because religious denominations have various tenets and beliefs that relate to approval or disapproval of LGBT individuals (Melton, ). To understand the impact of R/S abuse on LGBT individuals, we explore R/S abuse using Ward's () types of R/S abuse, integrate microaggressions as defined by Sue et al (), and expand microaggressions to include sexual microaggressions (Shelton & Delgado‐Romero, ).…”

Section: R/s Abusementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ward () identified six types of R/S abuse: (a) leadership representing God, (b) spiritual bullying, (c) acceptance via performance, (d) spiritual neglect, (e) expanding external and internal tension, and (f) manifestation of internal states. Individuals experience R/S abuse when they experience negative mental health effects from their interactions with others in their R/S lives.…”

Section: R/s Abusementioning

confidence: 99%

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Loss of Religious or Spiritual Identities Among the LGBT Population

Wood

Conley

2014

Counseling and Values

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Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals are at risk of having negative experiences with religion because of mainstream religions' non-LGBT-affirming stance. Negative religious experiences can lead to religious or spiritual (R/S) struggles and loss of R/S identity to maintain sexual identity. The authors describe R/S abuse, R/S struggle, and how these can result in loss of R/S identity in LGBT individuals. They provide a case study and discuss counseling implications and areas for future research.Keywords: religious identity, sexual identity, LGBT, religious abuse, loss T he loss of religious or spiritual (R/S) identity can be a significant development in individuals' lives and can complicate their lives by eliciting emotions that range from relief to anger (Barra et al., 1993). Often when individuals experience pain, they turn to their R/S beliefs for comfort; however, if their R/S beliefs are a source of pain, their R/S identity can be in jeopardy. For many historically marginalized populations, relationships with mainstream religious institutions can be contentious.

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Section: R/s Abusementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: R/s Abusementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: R/s Abusementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: R/s Abusementioning

confidence: 99%

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Loss of Religious or Spiritual Identities Among the LGBT Population

Wood

Conley

2014

Counseling and Values

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“…Chronic emotional and interpersonal stressors at work are considered major contributors to burnout (Maslach et al, 2001). Christian ministry stress can result from acceptance via performance (Ward, 2011), trying to measure up (VanVonderen, 1989), the quick-fix mentality and a lack of differentiation (Friedman, 2007), factors from both personal family development and the current work system (Grosch & Olsen, 2000), a lack of social support and sense of isolation (Virginia, 1998), and interpersonal relationships and personal spirituality (Jackson-Jordan, 2013).…”

Section: The Council On Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (1988) Clearlymentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding Face and Shame: A Servant-Leadership and Face Management Model

Song

2019

J Pastoral Care Counsel

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Clergy can have a negative impact on churches and other individuals when they knowingly or unknowingly attempt to save face, that is, try to protect their standing or reputation. The desire to gain face and the fear of losing face and feeling ashamed will likely permeate clergy’s decision-making processes without even being noticed. This study explores the essence of face and face management and the relationship between face management and two characteristics of servant-leadership—awareness and healing—in both Chinese and American churches through the methodology of hermeneutic phenomenology. Prior to this study, to my knowledge, no hermeneutic phenomenological research of face management has been conducted in a church setting. Through a review of the literature, four areas are explored: face and shame, face management, servant-leadership, and face, shame, and face management within the church. This study obtained approval from the Institutional Review Board and informed consent from the participants. Three Chinese and three American Christian ministers were chosen to complete a question sheet and participate in two semi-structured interview sessions. A first cycle of open coding and second cycle of pattern coding were used during data analysis. Face experiences are discussed in light of eight major themes: body, triggers, becoming, face concepts, strategies, emotions, servant-leadership, and the church. Findings from the study help build a servant-leadership and face management model, which can offer an anchored approach for clergy and pastoral counselors to address face and shame and to develop therapeutic interventions.

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