Pastorale terapie vanuit die vadermetafoor aan kliënte met veralgemeende angsversteuring

[摘要] English: Generalized Anxiety Disorder and related disorders frequently occur in the community. While the behavioural sciences have done much research on this, a justifiable pastoral therapeutic approach to a therapy for the individual who suffers from it, is needed. While psycho- and pharmacotherapy cannot be ignored, pastoral therapy - which takes into consideration the religious aspects of the individual's world - can make a contribution to the treatment of the disorder. In this study the correlation between the individual's father image and her/his image of God, as well as its influence on the development of Generalized Anxiety Disorder is researched. Favourable dividends to address the disorder are found through narrative rewriting of the individual's father and God concepts. In chapter 1 the subject area of practical theology is explored. Attention is given to epistemological matters and the selection of a paradigm, resulting in the selection of a deductive theological epistemology within the reformed theological paradigm. Furthermore a diaconiological approach to the subject area is chosen and a diaconiological integrating encounter model is submitted for research. The second chapter comprises a summary of the field of anxiety disorders in order to obtain a complete view of the etiological and symptomatological aspects thereof. This psychopathological frame of reference however does not imply a modernistic approach to therapy, but aims to simplify naming various forms of anxiety disorders. In chapter 3 the research continues with specific attention to Generalized Anxiety Disorder. That the disorder is long-term and that known forms of therapy have limited effect is meaningful for a pastoral therapeutic approach. As the correlation between the father and God image is a central theme in this study, the father metaphor is explored from a theological perspective in chapter 4. Naming God as Father is inherent to Scripture and is meaningful for the way the individual experiences God. In Chapter 5 feministic commentary on masculine language concerning God is considered, and although feminine or gender neutral terminology for God is not supported, cognizance is taken of important correctives for traditional phrases of speech concerning God. This awareness sensitizes the pastoral therapist to accuracy concerning content in the application of the father metaphor. The theological research is concluded in chapter 6 with considerations regarding the use of Scripture in pastoral therapy as well as the faith imperative that encourages the individual to trust despite of anxiety. In chapter 7 the coherence between father- and God images and the symptomatology of Generalized Anxiety Disorder is explored. A negative father image, which leads to a distortion of the individual's image of God, results in existential insecurity, which causes a lack of security within the individual. This deprivation of security is identified as a causal factor for Generalized Anxiety disorder. The development of a therapeutic model is discussed and methodology justified in chapter 8. The selection of a deductive epistemology results in the diaconiological nature of the model while it's integrating nature makes the use of insights from other disciplines, as well as their application in a narrative modus operandi. In chapter 9 the practical application of the diaconiological integrating encounter model is researched using a narrative process in the context of a qualitative single case study. The conclusion in chapter 10 shows that the research hypothesis namely that the father- and God images of an individual can be a causal factor in the development of generalized anxiety disorder, is justified and that the healing of these concepts can be facilitated through narrative therapy, thus presenting a contribution to the therapy of individuals with this disorder.

[发布机构] University of the Free State