Light in the Darkness - A Project About Religious Abuse

Healthy religion may support the well-being of an individual and give joy and hope in life. However, the effects of unhealthy religion and religious abuse are the opposite. Religious abuse can occur in different forms and on different levels, for example in relationships, families and congregations. Still religious abuse has scarcely been studied from a nursing science perspective.<br/>This post-doc project consists of two sub-studies. The purpose of the first sub-study is to study how instructors, working with clients, describe religious abuse and how religious abuse appears in clients' lives. During the second sub-study clients will be interviewed about the same topic. The aim of the sub-studies is a greater understanding of different forms of religious abuse, as well as what support a client needs in this context. The aim of the total project is to develop training for staff on religious abuse. <br/>The project will be carried out in collaboration with two different working life partners. These units, Frida - Fri från våld r.f. in Pietarsaari and Kokkolan ensi- ja turvakoti r.f., provide support for clients who encounter domestic and other forms of abuse. The project has received initial funding from Aktia Stiftelsen i Vasa and Schaumans stiftelsen. Participant recruitment and data collection will take place at the above-mentioned units. Data collection will be conducted through focus group interviews. <br/>The expected results of this project are: 1. Increased knowledge about religious abuse, 2. Mapping of clients' needs in this context, 3. Training for staff at both units on how to support clients who have experienced religious abuse, 4. Dissemination of the results through two scientific articles describing the results of the studies, as well as 5. Presentations in professional forums where partners and other health care professionals can take part of the results.<br/>Health care professionals, within different contexts, encounter clients who have experienced religious abuse. Yet this is a subject which professionals find difficult to address and discuss with their clients. Through our project, we wish to train professionals on the topic of religious abuse and develop the support that clients in this life situation receive. <br/>