Construal of sources of help for psychological problems by charismatic evangelical Christians

• Main Author: Stredwick, Jane Rebecca
• Published: University of East London 1995
• Subjects: 150
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.532389

Previous research on constructions of help-seeking for psychological problems in Christians in the UK is absent. What research there is more generally, has been over-shadowed in psychology and psychotherapy by the dominance of a pathologyoriented social system and values about what is good and how life should be lived "healthily". The aim of this research was to use a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods, to investigate the ways in which Christians construe help-seeking for psychological problems from various sources. 14 committed Christians from a close-knit group in East London were participants in the study. Participants were interviewed using repertory grid methodology and, using the "Triadic method", 10 bipolar constructs were elicited for each person. The grids was then filled in, and the element and construct ratings were factor-analysed. The resultant factors were then returned to the participants, each being interviewed in order to elaborate, modify or interpret them from their own point of view. A thematic analysis of the interview transcripts was carried out. The analysis produced 4 significant themes: 1)Belief in the "intrusive spiritual", 2)Fami1iarity, friendship, trust and safety, 3)Secular professionals and 4)Authority, hierarchy and power. The clinical and theoretical implications of these findings were discussed and suggestions for future research made.