What Does Spirituality Mean To You? An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of the experience of spirituality

Abstract

This study explores how participants experience spirituality, what it means to them and how it affects their lives and relationships. The study reports data from semi-structured interviews with four participants, analysed using IPA. It is suggested that the existential-phenomenological approach can offer a suitable framework for exploring spiritual experiences. Key words Spirituality, interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), existential psychotherapy Spirituality and religion1 Shafranske, 2005 received little attention in the psychological literature for most of the 20th Century, although a shift in interest has been developing since the 1980s (Aten & Hernandez, 2005; Bartoli, 2007; Crossley & Slater, 2005; Richards & Bergin, 1997; Sperry & ). However, as Bartoli (2007) notes, literature from a humanistic– existential perspective (referring for example to Allport, 1950; Frankl, 1975; Fromm, 1950; and Maslow, 1964), considered spiritual beliefs and practices as possible vehicles for reaching higher potential and a deeper sense of meaning. In addition, Bartoli considers the paradigm shift from a positivist to a postmodern epistemology, as well as feminist and multicultural approaches, as significant in developing a more flexible and inclusive understanding of human experience, and an awareness of diversity of subjective experiences of spirituality and religion. Yet despite the increasing focus on spirituality in the psychological literature, Aten & Hernandez (2005) note that only a small number of empirical publications used a qualitative method, the majority being either quantitative or theoretical. Based on their literature review, Aten & Hernandez suggest that qualitative studies: …help researchers to gain a better understanding of how participants make meaning in their lives and how this impacts spiritual well-being. This is particularly useful since religious and Simon Cassar and Pnina Shinebourne 134 spiritual experience is often highly individualistic and personal (ibid, p274). Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) is considered a particularly relevant method for this study as it aims to give voice to, and examine, the personal lived experience of participants and how participants make sense of their experience (Smith, 2004). IPA is also interpretative in recognising the role of the researcher in making sense of the experience of participants. In addition IPA is informed by the theoretical perspective of symbolic interactionism (Smith, 1996), which is concerned with the construction of meaning within both the social and personal world of individuals. Golsworthy & Coyle (1999, 2001) used IPA to explore spiritual issues in bereavement and the spiritual dimension in bereavement therapy. Mayers, Leavey, Vallianatou & Barker (2007) used IPA in their study of experiences of psychotherapy clients with religious or spiritual beliefs. IPA has been used to examine a wide range of psychological topics. For a review of work using IPA see Brocki & Wearden (2006) and Reid, Flowers & Larkin (2005).