| Summary: | Dissertation (Ed.D.)--Boston University, 1986 === This qualitative study investigated the reasons why American priests
resigned their ministries. Two separate analytical lenses were used. One lens
included a thematic analysis of reasons for resignation, and a second lens
involved a developmental study of the men applying Levinson's psychosocial
theory of adult development.
Regarding the developmental analysis, the intent of this study was not to
confirm or refute Levinson's theory but to understand the development of the
sixteen men by applying his theory. Nevertheless, the results of the
developmental analysis seemed to support Levinson's postulation of alternating
structure-building and structure-changing periods but appeared to question his
construct of age-linked periods especially for men in middle adulthood.
Although this study supported his reported developmental tasks, it found that
the men in the study dealt with some of them at a later age than postulated.
Consequently, the writer concluded that Levinson's theory may need to be
modified when applying it to men who have committed themselves to a Catholic
professional religious life-style. The men developed differently than Levinson's
sample because of the unique structure of the institutional Church and
priesthood that seemed to delay the men's attainment of responsibility and
independence. Several implications and recommendations for further research
were suggested.
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