Chapter 1 of this study focuses on the growing numbers of older persons and the
corresponding pastoral-therapeutic implications. Progressive developments in medical
research and treatment and socio-economical change offer persons older than 65 a longer
life expectancy and enable them to remain active for a longer period. The demographical
implication is that persons in this age group form a larger proportion of populations across
the world. These worldwide trends are also evident among all population groups in South
Africa with comprehensive consequences in all areas of life, in particular also in respect of
the pastoral care and spiritual well-being of the aged. The largest proportional increase in
numbers is in the age group above 80. This population segment also includes the largest
number of frail elderly persons, who have a special need of pastoral therapeutic support
and involvement.
In the context of developments in Practical Theology special reference is made to the
effects of a hermeneutic approach manifested in post-modern and post-foundationalist
paradigms. A diaconiological frame of reference is maintained in the discussion of basistheoretical,
meta-theoretical and practical-theoretical methods of approach. In research
studies of meetings with elderly residents, based on participative action research,
observations are made using the different pastoral-therapeutic approaches as lenses.
In chapter 2 the historical development of hermeneutic theory leading to the construction
of a hermeneutic paradigmatic frame is pursued. Pastoral-therapeutic implications of a
hermeneutic paradigm, which include a systemic and narrative approach, are critically
considered. Metatheoretical psychotherapeutic narrative methods and pastoral therapeutic
models, which represent different emphases, are critically evaluated from a diaconiological
position.
In chapter 3 metatheoretical gerontological and psychological scientific contributions are
discussed. Residents in a retirement village who wish to receive pastoral therapy are
involved in practical applications. The circumstances and views of residents were solicited
in a general opinion survey. Basis-theoretical points of departure are elucidated with reference to the pastoraltherapeutic
models of Louw and Gerkin. Basic-theoretical and other practical theological
points of departure are applied as lenses in participative action research.
Practical theoretical pastoral therapeutical approaches are introduced in chapter 4 with
special reference to the practice-theory-practice spiralling model of Müller. This is followed
by research reports of meetings with persons older than 80, in which perspectives that
arose from views through the different practical-theological lenses are given. Perspectives
gleaned from the different approaches enhanced the value of results separately and
jointly.
Contemplation of the Christian truths of salvation and particularly the comfort of
eschatological promise afforded basis-theoretical opportunities for the affirmation of faith.
Memories from the respondentsâ own life stories, in particular of the experience of
weakness, pain and dependency, could be placed in the context of the Grand Narrative in
the process of therapeutic narrative involvement. The metatheoretical gerontological and
psychological lenses contributed valuable perspectives to the experience of later old age,
leading to meaningful pastoral-therapeutic application. A better understanding of the need
for spiritual growth and the achievement of integrity through self-acceptance and gerotranscendancy
could be gained. Psychotherapeutic narrative methods such as
deconstruction, externalization and unique outcomes could be applied with good outcomes
in a diaconiological scriptural normative approach. Through the application of a practicaltheoretical
spiralling practice-theory-practice lens special value could be added by close
integration of the own story with the story of the Bible. Although behavioural changes in
older persons who have set thinking patterns are difficult to achieve, limited success was
achieved in the positive handling of mutual relations of inmates and influencing their
actions. The most beneficial pastoral-therapeutical effects were probably achieved in
respect of the integration of memories of life, which surfaced in stories told in conjunction
with the reality of Christian experience at this late stage of life.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:ufs/oai:etd.uovs.ac.za:etd-10172011-111434 |
| Date | 17 October 2011 |
| Creators | de Wet, Roelof |
| Contributors | Prof J-A van den Berg |
| Publisher | University of the Free State |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | en-uk |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | http://etd.uovs.ac.za//theses/available/etd-10172011-111434/restricted/ |
| Rights | unrestricted, I hereby certify that, if appropriate, I have obtained and attached hereto a written permission statement from the owner(s) of each third party copyrighted matter to be included in my thesis, dissertation, or project report, allowing distribution as specified below. I certify that the version I submitted is the same as that approved by my advisory committee. I hereby grant to University Free State or its agents the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible, under the conditions specified below, my thesis, dissertation, or project report in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis, dissertation or project report. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis, dissertation, or project report. |
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