Understanding women's growth and self-transformation through dyadic love relationships
by Jackson, Katherine S., Ph.D., INSTITUTE OF TRANSPERSONAL PSYCHOLOGY, 2007, 225 pages; 3285684

Abstract:

This qualitative study focused on understanding women's growth and self-transformation as a result of a dyadic love relationship. Women's growth and self-transformation was explored through in-depth interviews using organic inquiry, feminist, and heuristic methods. As is common in heuristic methods, the researcher's story was figural in creating the template for this research. Women chosen to be part of this study were mature women over the age of 30, who were considered to be psycho-spiritually evolved, based on specific criteria. This study sought to understand the experience of growth and self-transformation for each individual woman studied, as well as for the researcher, by honoring the personal story. Stories were gathered from 12 women (including that of the researcher) through one-on-one interviews. They were then transcribed, and read back to the women at a follow-up interview to illicit validation, integration, and a new perspective. Stories were woven together, creating a tapestry of themes and patterns. Thematic content analysis provided observations of commonalities within the participants and researcher of: loss or gain of self, descent and ascent paths in finding sense of self, connection and disconnection, speaking one's personal truth, and need for physical and emotional space.

 
AdviserAna Perez-Chisti
SchoolINSTITUTE OF TRANSPERSONAL PSYCHOLOGY
SourceDAI/B 68-10, p. , Feb 2008
Source TypeDissertation
SubjectsSocial psychology; Women's studies; Developmental psychology; Clinical psychology
Publication Number3285684
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