Stigma, Shame and Belonging : messages about Alcoholism in a Church Community
Carp, Rebecca (2013)
Carp, Rebecca
Diakonia-ammattikorkeakoulu
2013
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 1.0 Finland
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2013112518013
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2013112518013
Tiivistelmä
Carp. Rebecca. Stigma, shame and belonging : messages about alcoholism in a church community. Helsinki, autumn 2013, 46 p. Diaconia University of Applied Sciences, Degree Program in Social Services, Bachelor of Social Services (UAS) + option in diaconia.
The aim of this study was to answer the question, “What messages might a person struggling with alcoholism and its associated shame receive about her place and her value in the International Evangelical Church community?” The research was constructed on a four-part conceptual model of stigma, supplemented by psychological and theological perspectives of shame. Data gathered from formal and informal leaders of the church using semi-structured interviews was based on the vignette technique, and was analysed deductively. Additional data in response to a Bible verse was analysed inductively. The main results found that stigma proper cannot be substantiated due to a lack of evidence for separation into “us” and “them” groups; however, strong components of stereotypes and status loss exist, and a propensity toward devaluation based on rumour. Concerns for the reputation and safety of the church and its members were cited as reasons. Idealistic language indicated a strong desire to respond to the dilemma of alcoholic members with respect, support and openness to talk. Data from the Bible verse yielded some themes that could create shame or anxiety, so an interpretation of the passage as a model of intervention was suggested.
The aim of this study was to answer the question, “What messages might a person struggling with alcoholism and its associated shame receive about her place and her value in the International Evangelical Church community?” The research was constructed on a four-part conceptual model of stigma, supplemented by psychological and theological perspectives of shame. Data gathered from formal and informal leaders of the church using semi-structured interviews was based on the vignette technique, and was analysed deductively. Additional data in response to a Bible verse was analysed inductively. The main results found that stigma proper cannot be substantiated due to a lack of evidence for separation into “us” and “them” groups; however, strong components of stereotypes and status loss exist, and a propensity toward devaluation based on rumour. Concerns for the reputation and safety of the church and its members were cited as reasons. Idealistic language indicated a strong desire to respond to the dilemma of alcoholic members with respect, support and openness to talk. Data from the Bible verse yielded some themes that could create shame or anxiety, so an interpretation of the passage as a model of intervention was suggested.