A social work programme for the development of the spiritual strengths of midlife women

[摘要] English: Modern society is distinguished by on-going social change that restructures the ways in which individuals live, forcing them to reappraise their coping strategies continually. The midlife transition of women has not escaped the changes brought about by modern society. Many of the challenges women face in midlife are brought about by the changes introduced by modernity. A noted change is the developmental designs of previous generations that have become defunct, compelling women to shape new midlife developmental patterns innovatively. These women are now recruiting spiritual strengths to invigorate growth and support adaption in this phase of life.A key argument of this study is that that spirituality has the capacity to be a source of strength and that women can access their spiritual strengths to support their midlife transition. Furthermore, the study also maintains that social work's mission to promote clients' wellbeing compels a holistic approach that recognises the role of spiritual strengths in advancing a sense of wellbeing. Thus, primarily directed by the strengths perspective's stance that all individuals have strengths, capacities and resources that can be mobilised to enhance their quality of life, the study set about delineating guidelines for a social work programme to facilitate the identification and mobilisation of spiritual strengths to support women's midlife transition in order to enhance a sense of wellbeing.Based on the literature review and the empirical investigation, the study concludes that women's midlife developmental patterns are indeed customised to fit their own experiences of midlife, and are therefore variable. Furthermore, for many midlife women their spirituality and spiritual strengths are vital to their adaption to midlife, and they are keenly interested in expanding their spiritual strengths. Thus, informed by the empirical investigation and literature review, the study recommends guidelines for a programme pertaining to potential material to be included; modes of actions to be undertaken; possible format; and the preparation and role of the social worker. It is further recommended that the programme be adjusted sensitively to meet the requirements for the identification and development of the spiritual strengths as they apply to every individual group of midlife women.

[发布机构] University of the Free State