Discovering Self: From Adversity to Awakening—An Emergent Grounded Theory Toward Wholeness

Abstract

Background. Females around the world face adversity and inequities that affect their health. Women’s health has been historically understudied. Innovative trauma-informed nursing research, including exploration of adverse religious experiences, is needed to advance understanding of women’s health and health care. Adverse religious experiences have been minimally defined and explored. Purpose. This study was completed to understand adverse religious experiences and their effect on female health. Theoretical Framework. The Roy Adaptation Model (RAM) has guided nursing research for many years by defining the patient’s self, coping, and adaptation, and this framework guided the interpretation and understanding of the results. Carper’s Ways of Knowing and Feminist Theory contributed to the data analysis. Conceptual Framework. A unique trauma-informed conceptual framework was designed based on the lived experience of the Feminist Christian Theologian and Public Health Nurse Scientist. Methods. The study utilized a Classical Grounded Theory qualitative research methodology. Results. Fifteen women in North America with adverse religious experiences were interviewed using an open-ended question approach. Purposive sampling was utilized. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using constant comparison. Conclusions. Emergent themes were examined using Symbolic Interactionism, Carper, Feminist Theory, and the RAM, and a new theory, a Basic Social Process (BSP), emerged. This theory of Discovering Self is valuable and transferable to other settings and populations.