| By Ph.d. and Clinical Health Psychologist, Peter La Cour1 and Ass. Prof., Theol. Dr., Niels Christian Hvidt2 1Pain Clinic, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen 2 Institue of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark Post Conference Ressources PowerPoint – download here Audio Presentation – listen here Audio Q&A – listen here CV – Peter La Cour CV – Niels Christian Hvidt |
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Abstract
In this presentation we propose a conceptual framework in the field of meaning-making and religious coping in secular cultures such as those of Northern Europe. Seeking an operational approach, we have narrowed the field’s components down to a number of basic domains and dimensions that provide a more authentic cultural basis for research in secular society. Reviewing the literature, three main domains of existential meaning-making emerge: Secular, spiritual, and religious. In reconfirming these three domains, we propose to couple them with the three dimensions of cognition (knowing), practice (doing), and importance (being), resulting in a conceptual framework that can serve as a fundamental heuristic and methodological research tool for mapping the field of existential meaning-making and health.
We want to discuss the relationship between the three domains of meaning making that all addresses basic existential conditions and all are deeply connected to the context of the participants and the researcher.
The understanding of “religious coping” is also context dependent. We want to discuss the possibility for broadening the understanding models of stress and coping to encompass both the past and the future of the persons involved. Also we want to discuss a more multidimensional understanding of the concepts of positive and negative outcome of coping processes.