Empowering the unempowered :
a narrative approach to deconstructing spirituality with women experiencing abuse

Collett, Joan Elizabeth

dc.contributor.advisor	Kotzé, J. D.	en
dc.contributor.advisor	Theron, J. P. J.	en
dc.contributor.author	Collett, Joan Elizabeth	en
dc.date.accessioned	2009-08-25T10:57:13Z
dc.date.available	2009-08-25T10:57:13Z
dc.date.issued	2009-08-25T10:57:13Z
dc.date.submitted	2003-11-30	en
dc.identifier.citation	Collett, Joan Elizabeth (2009) Empowering the unempowered : a narrative approach to deconstructing spirituality with women experiencing abuse, University of South Africa, Pretoria, <http://hdl.handle.net/10500/1843>	en
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10500/1843
dc.description.abstract	A postmodern approach is used to examine various discourses with relevance to subject positioning and its effect on individual spirituality. The stories are located within different discourses, introducing a spiritual diversity. Through narrative, a holistic understanding of the spiritual experiences of two contemporary Christian women who have suffered abuse is provided, highlighting spirituality as an essential component to physical and psychosocial well-being. Contextual post-structural feminist theology and the social construction theory of reality informed this work. The performative function of language in social interaction is emphasised, situating language and relationship as key factors in the construction of individual identity and spirituality. Whilst recognising the constitutive force of discourse, the research highlights the notion that people can exercise choice in opposition to these discursive practices. Elements of spiritual transformation, hope and empowerment surfaced as counter stories to the culture of abuse, providing the scaffolding for re-storying their lives.	en
dc.format.extent	1 online resource (viii, 121 leaves)
dc.language.iso	en	en
dc.subject	Deconstruction	en
dc.subject	Discourse	en
dc.subject	Spirituality	en
dc.subject	Language	en
dc.subject	Narrative	en
dc.subject	Positioning	en
dc.subject	Relationship	en
dc.subject	Identity	en
dc.subject	Hope	en
dc.subject	Empowerment	en
dc.subject.ddc	248.082
dc.subject.lcsh	Spirituality
dc.subject.lcsh	Abused women -- Pastoral counseling of
dc.subject.lcsh	Narrative therapy
dc.subject.lcsh	Deconstruction -- Therapeutic use
dc.subject.lcsh	Spiritual life -- Christianity
dc.title	Empowering the unempowered : a narrative approach to deconstructing spirituality with women experiencing abuse	en
dc.type	Dissertation	en
dc.description.department	Practical Theology	en
dc.description.degree	M.Th. (Pastoral Therapy)	en