Qualitative Research on the Professional Ccounseling Needs of Missionaries : A Grounded Theory Approach

The study endeavored to comprehend the counseling requisites of missionaries and establish a theoretical framework. Sixteen participants underwent interviews, and data were subjected to Grounded Theory analysis. Findings highlighted crisis situations, emotional challenges, developmental tasks, and familial issues as pivotal factors necessitating professional counseling for missionaries. 'Differentiation' surfaced as the central phenomenon. Distinctions between missionary-specific counseling and general counseling were delineated. Active interaction between counselors and missionaries underscored the imperative for counseling. Counseling needs were categorized into Referral, Participational, and Collaborative-Seeking types. Recommendations encompassed broadening counseling dimensions, ameliorating perceptions, and formulating training policies for missionary counselors.