Resilience in re-entering missionaries: why do some do well?

Re-entry to their country of origin is a significant disruption for a number of sojourners including missionaries. Although missionary re-entry has been studied in depth for over 20 years, little is known about what makes a missionary resilient to the challenges experienced in the stressful re-entry...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Selby, Susan P. (Author) ; Braunack-Mayer, Annette (Author) ; Moulding, Nicole (Author) ; Jones, Alison (Author) ; Clark, Sheila (Author) ; Beilby, Justin (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Taylor & Francis 2009
In: Mental health, religion & culture
Year: 2009, Volume: 12, Issue: 7, Pages: 701-720
Further subjects:B Missionaries
B Acculturation
B Mental Health
B Resilience
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
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Summary:Re-entry to their country of origin is a significant disruption for a number of sojourners including missionaries. Although missionary re-entry has been studied in depth for over 20 years, little is known about what makes a missionary resilient to the challenges experienced in the stressful re-entry environment. Research suggests there are psychological, social, spiritual, and biological constructs connected with resilience. The aim of this paper is to answer the question "Why do some re-entering missionaries do well while others do not?" Fifteen adult Australian Christian cross-cultural missionary workers from four interdenominational Australian evangelical mission organisations completed semi-structured interviews and a survey. Results were analysed in two stages using modified consensual qualitative research methods. Links were established between resilience on re-entry and flexibility, expectancy, self-determination, denial using minimisation, mental health, social support, reintegration and personal spiritual connection with God. Implications for missionary care are discussed with suggestions for further research.
ISSN:1469-9737
Contains:Enthalten in: Mental health, religion & culture
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1080/13674670903131868