A diagnosis of cancer is shattering news. It is imbedded in negative social
discourses like suffering and has far-reaching implications for those affected
by it.
Couples who have reached the unique life-stage of retirement, are affected in
a specific way by a diagnosis of cancer. Not only are the so-called golden
years in jeopardy, but also the positive opportunities associated with this lifestage.
In view of the apparent lack of pastoral models to cope with this phenomenon, this study will seek a workable model by which the retired couple affected by
cancer can be counselled.
The narrative approach to therapy has attracted a great deal of attention in
therapeutic circles during recent years. It will therefore be used within the
framework of this research. It will, however, be used within the diaconiological
epistemology and not within the context of its original epistemological roots.
Linked to a qualitative approach, this study will be descriptive and exploratory
in nature while conducting therapy with a retired couple affected by cancer. As
qualitative research is a form of participatory research, it makes the description
of the pastoral-therapeutic process possible.
At the basis of this narrative pastoral activity lie Biblical principles as the
diaconiological epistemology perceives the Bible as being normative for
pastoral therapy. When the life-goals of man are viewed within the light of
Scripture, the radical nature of cancer becomes apparent. Scripture also
provides valuable insight as to what the goals of therapy should be within this
study.
As the diaconiological epistemology acknowledges and make use of metatheoretical
insights, basic theoretical insights are drawn from disciplines such
as psychology, sociology and systems theory. In this manner a clearer
understanding of the retired couple is achieved.
This study serves the community by giving a retired couple affected by cancer
the opportunity to tell their problem-saturated story. With the narrative
approach as strategy the pastoral process gives them a chance to tell their
story in a reflective manner. In doing so, the negative discourses of cancer can
be heard. However, it also offers them the opportunity to recall the times that
they coped well with cancer and in doing so, reminds them that a full life is
possible in spite of a serious illness. The sustenance of God and his Holy
Word also becomes apparent and in this manner the transforming effect of
pastoral therapy comes to the fore.
This study also serves the reformed pastoral therapy as it utilises a
contemporary pastoral approach within a diaconiological epistemology.
It shows that the narrative approach is valuable as a model by which the
retired couple affected by cancer can be counselled and helped to lead a
meaningful life amidst an existential crisis.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:ufs/oai:etd.uovs.ac.za:etd-06282007-130324 |
| Date | 28 June 2007 |
| Creators | Brunsdon, Alfred Richard |
| Contributors | Prof J Janse van Rensburg |
| 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-06282007-130324/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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