Companions on the Journey: Symbolic Interaction in Helping Relationships and the Development of Spirituality For Young Adult Catholics

Many young adults experience a shift in faith understanding and experiences after adolescence. This study sought to uncover the communicative nature of helping relationships in spiritual contexts. The author explored spiritual helping relationships as a comparative form of mentoring, placing focus on models offered by Buell (2004). Utilizing Symbolic Interaction, the study examined co-created meaning and developed meaning among young adults and helpers. The qualitative project utilized online open-ended survey instruments specifically designed for young adult Catholics and helpers which examined the value, role, and scope of spirituality in the lives of participants. Emergent themes included prayer life, discussion of spirituality, spiritual influences, and communication in helping relationships. Utilizing definitions of mentoring models indicated by Buell (2004) in her research, this research sought to provide comparative models of spiritual helping relationships.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts in Communication

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Communication

Year

2005

Author dc:creator

• Herrman, Mathew B.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Kelly McNeilis

• spiritual helping relationships
• Symbolic Interaction
• interpersonal communication
• spiritual communication
• young adult Catholic
• mentoring
• Communication

Statement dc:rights

• © Mathew B. Herrman

Repository record dc:identifier

https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/1036

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:bearworks.missouristate.edu:theses-2037