Pastoraat aan die afgetrede egpaar deur kanker geaffekteer: 'n narratiewe benadering

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Date
2006
Authors
Brunsdon, Alfred Richard
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Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
English: 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.
Afrikaans: 'n Kankerdiagnose is verpletterende nuus. Dit is ingebed in 'n negatiewe sosiale diskoers van lyding en het verreikende gevolge vir hulle wat daardeur geaffekteer word. Die egpaar wat die unieke lewensfase van aftrede bereik het, word op 'n besondere wyse deur 'n kankerdiagnose geraak. Nie net die sogenaamde goue jare kom in die gedrang nie, maar ook die bestemmingsfunksies eie aan hierdie lewensfase. In die lig van die skynbare leemte aan pastorale modelle om met hierdie om te gaan, wil hierdie studie' n geskikte model vind waarvolgens die afgetrede egpaar geaffekteer deur kanker sinvol begelei kan word. Die narratiewe benadering tot terapie het oor die afgelope jare die aandag van die hulpverleningswetenskappe aangegryp. Daarom word dit op die proef gestel binne die raamwerk van die gekose navorsingsgroep. Die narratiewe benadering word egter vir die doeleindes van hierdie studie losgemaak van sy oorspronklike epistemologiese wortels en binne die diakoniologiese epistemologie aangewend. Gepaard met die kwalitatiewe navorsingsmetodiek wil hierdie studie op 'n deskriptiewe en verkennende wyse met die afgetrede egpaar geaffekteer deur kanker op weg gaan. Aangesien kwalitatiewe navorsing die navorser op deelnemende wyse by die navorsing betrek, bied dit die ideale geleentheid om die pastoraal-terapeutiese proses wat ondersoek word, in die praktyk te beskryf. Die grondslag van pastorale terapie vanuit die narratiewe benadering binne die die diakoniologiese epistemologie is 'n teologies gefundeerde basisteorie waarin die Skrif se normatiewe gesag aanvaar word. In die lig van hierdie teologies-basisteoretiese vertrekpunte word die omvang van die krisis van kanker duidelik, maar word ook waardevolle suggesties vir die rigting van die pastoraat gebied. Aangesien die diakoniologiese epistemologie ook metateorie verreken, word die egpaar basisteoreties verder belig deur waardevolle insigte van psigososiaal- maatskaplike aard. Ook die fenomeen van kanker as siekteverskynsel en sy onvermydelike implikasies belig die navorsingsonderwerp. Die studie lewer 'n diens aan die gemeenskap deurdat dit aan 'n kankergeaffekteerde egpaar die geleentheid bied om hulle probleem-deurdrenkte verhaal te vertel. Met die narratiewe benadering as terapeutiese strategie word die pastorale gesprek die ruimte waar die egpaar se verhaalop 'n terugskouende wyse vertel word. Hierdie pastorale aktiwiteit lê nie net die beperkende diskoerse van kanker bloot nie, maar ontbloot ook die geleenthede waartydens die egpaar sinvol met kanker geleef het. Die drakrag van God en sy Woord word duidelik uit die vertelling van die egpaar se verhaal, en op dié wyse word die transformerende uitwerking van die pastoraat op die voorgrond gebring. Die navorsing is diensbaar aan die gereformeerde poimeniek deurdat dit' n eietydse terapeutiese benadering binne' n diakoniologiese epistemologie aanwend. Dit toon aan dat die narratiewe benadering van waarde is as model om die afgetrede egpaar wat deur kanker geaffekteer is, tot 'n sinvolle lewensontsluiting te midde van 'n eksistensiële krisis te begelei.
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Keywords
Retired couples, Cancer, Narrative therapy, Postmodernism, Diaconiological epistemology, Reformed pastorate, Qualitative research, Church work with the terminally ill, Palliative treatment -- Religious aspects, Cancer -- Patients -- Pastoral counseling of, Thesis (Ph.D. (Practical Theology))--University of the Free State, 2006
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