Theory of ego identity with reference to the young pastor in clinical training

• Main Author: Hoyer, Louis Bach
• Language: en_US
• Published: Boston University 2018
• Subjects: Pastoral care; Pastors; Psychology; Ego identity
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/2144/30842

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Boston University === The problem of this dissertation is to give a theoretical explanation of emotional problems appearing in theological students in their twenties as part of a struggle to find a pastoral identity by, first, expounding the theory of ego identity developed by Erik H. Erikson in light of its historical evolution and structural dynamics, as a relevant statement of personality development which accounts for the needs of the young adult; second, by illustrating the relevance of this theory for the young pastor in four identity problems which arise among 120 theological students during clinical training in mental hospitals, using their personal statements and responses to a questionnaire as data; and third, by raising implications for the parish to be tested in view of the understanding of the theory of pastoral identity as inferred by this study, thus indicating special facets to be considered in succeeding studies on the theory of pastoral care [TRUNCATED]