Pastorale terapie aan die persoon bo tagtig jaar

[摘要] English: Chapter 1 of this study focuses on the growing numbers of older persons and thecorresponding pastoral-therapeutic implications. Progressive developments in medicalresearch and treatment and socio-economical change offer persons older than 65 a longerlife expectancy and enable them to remain active for a longer period. The demographicalimplication is that persons in this age group form a larger proportion of populations acrossthe world. These worldwide trends are also evident among all population groups in SouthAfrica with comprehensive consequences in all areas of life, in particular also in respect ofthe pastoral care and spiritual well-being of the aged. The largest proportional increase innumbers is in the age group above 80. This population segment also includes the largestnumber of frail elderly persons, who have a special need of pastoral therapeutic supportand involvement.In the context of developments in Practical Theology special reference is made to theeffects of a hermeneutic approach manifested in post-modern and post-foundationalistparadigms. A diaconiological frame of reference is maintained in the discussion of basistheoretical,meta-theoretical and practical-theoretical methods of approach. In researchstudies 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 constructionof a hermeneutic paradigmatic frame is pursued. Pastoral-therapeutic implications of ahermeneutic paradigm, which include a systemic and narrative approach, are criticallyconsidered. Metatheoretical psychotherapeutic narrative methods and pastoral therapeuticmodels, which represent different emphases, are critically evaluated from a diaconiologicalposition.In chapter 3 metatheoretical gerontological and psychological scientific contributions arediscussed. Residents in a retirement village who wish to receive pastoral therapy areinvolved in practical applications. The circumstances and views of residents were solicitedin a general opinion survey.Basis-theoretical points of departure are elucidated with reference to the pastoraltherapeuticmodels of Louwand Gerkin. Basic-theoretical and other practical theologicalpoints of departure are applied as lenses in participative action research.Practical theoretical pastoral therapeutical approaches are introduced in chapter 4 withspecial reference to the practice-theory-practice spiralling model of MOller.This is followedby research reports of meetings with persons older than 80, in which perspectives thatarose from views through the different practical-theological lenses are given. Perspectivesgleaned from the different approaches enhanced the value of results separately andjointly.Contemplation of the Christian truths of salvation and particularly the comfort ofeschatological promise afforded basis-theoretical opportunities for the affirmation of faith.Memories from the respondents' own life stories, in particular of the experience ofweakness, pain and dependency, could be placed in the context of the Grand Narrative inthe process of therapeutic narrative involvement. The metatheoretical gerontological andpsychological lenses contributed valuable perspectives to the experience of later old age,leading to meaningful pastoral-therapeutic application. A better understanding of the needfor spiritual growth and the achievement of integrity through self-acceptance and gerotranscendancycould be gained. Psychotherapeutic narrative methods such asdeconstruction, externalization and unique outcomes could be applied with good outcomesin a diaconiological scriptural normative approach. Through the application of a practicaltheoreticalspiralling practice-theory-practice lens special value could be added by closeintegration of the own story with the story of the Bible. Although behavioural changes inolder persons who have set thinking patterns are difficult to achieve, limited success wasachieved in the positive handling of mutual relations of inmates and influencing theiractions. The most beneficial pastoral-therapeutical effects were probably achieved inrespect of the integration of memories of life, which surfaced in stories told in conjunctionwith the reality of Christian experience at this late stage of life.

[发布机构] University of the Free State