Learning about the effectiveness of chaplaincy care for residents with more severe dementia
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 20242538 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Wendy van der Geugten (0000-0002-5011-0676, University of Humanistic Studies, corresponding author), Anne Goossensen (0000-0001-5447-2167, University of Humanistic Studies), A Roding-Schilt (Protestant Theological University), J De Groot (0009-0006-8486-8131, Radboud UMC), Jacques Körver (0000-0001-6805-3799), Glenn Jacobs (University of Humanistic Studies) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Pages | 1-16 |
| Publication date | 2025-10-13 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Practical Theology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1756-073X • E-ISSN: 1756-0748 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/1756073x.2025.2559217 |
| OpenAlex | W4415109549 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 63 |
The focus on outcome-oriented chaplaincy research and the evaluation of structured spiritual interventions might be at odds with the complex reality of chaplains working with nursing home residents with more severe dementia. The aim of this article is to explore what knowledge can be gained through thematically analysing a case study regarding the possibilities, success and outcomes of chaplaincy care for this patient group. Results show that a chaplain’s expertise is to create a fertile ground in which ‘belonging’ can arise, described as ‘experienced connectedness through being loved and appreciated as a relational human being’. Four subdomains were formulated: ‘social connection’, ‘sense of identity’, ‘inner peace’, and ‘sources of strength’. Besides the efficaciousness found, the context of dementia care reminds us of the need for openness to receiving and appreciating the symbolic, non-verbal, odd, and unexpected, and the value of ‘interventions’ in chaplaincy that are less standardised, controllable or measurable. Future research should incorporate methods that can capture the more tactile and less tangible dimensions of chaplaincy practice
Dementia · Odds · Openness to experience · Psychological intervention · Social connectedness · Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health · Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues · Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
Essentials of existential phenomenological research.
Improving the Quality of Spiritual Care as a Dimension of Palliative Care
What can “thematic analysis” offer health and wellbeing researchers?
Healthcare Chaplains Responding to Change
Dutch Case Studies Project in Chaplaincy Care
Lifting the Lid on Chaplaincy
Goals of chaplaincy care
Pastoral Care of Problematic Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Affected Residents in a Long-Term Care Setting
Research Priorities for Health Care Chaplaincy in The Netherlands
Chaplains and Quality Improvement
Pastoral Care for the Person with Dementia
Forget Me Not
Research Priorities for Healthcare Chaplaincy
Making Our Case(s)
Can Outcome Research Respect the Integrity of Chaplaincy? A Review of Outcome Studies
Chaplains Forming a Meaningful Relationship with Older People With Dementia – Insights to Pastoral Care in Nursing Home Settings
Feedback from research participants
Believing in belonging
Does Faith Concordance Matter? A Comparison of Clients’ Perceptions in Same Versus Interfaith Spiritual Care Encounters with Chaplains in Hospitals
Using thematic analysis in psychology
Presence and Personhood
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |