The Role and Influence of Interpretation in Hermeneutic-phenomenological Research

This article discusses the significance of interpretation and its role within qualitative hermeneutic-phenomenological inquiry. The discussion begins with a critical historical overview highlighting how the subject of interpretation emerged and was debated among the work of Husserl, Heidegger and Gadamer. Taken from historical as well as present day writings concerning interpretation, four interlocking elements; lived experience, meaning, understanding and language are presented as a way to add to the understanding as to how interpretation affects the conduct of hermeneutic-phenomenological research

Exploring the lived experience following trauma: a hermeneutic phenomenology study

Bibliography: p. 155-160The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experience of adult individuals who have been involved in an acute trauma event. What we have come to know and understand about acute trauma experiences has been mainly influenced by research methods that have offered categorized or defined trauma outcomes. Although this research and literature have offered us knowledge which has been helpful in understanding acute trauma experience, it is knowledge that has been based primarily on a positivistic approach. This interpretive investigation was undertaken to provide further opportunity for understanding. Using a hermeneutic-phenomenological approach, seven individuals, representing nine acute trauma events, shared their experiences through open-ended interviews. It was through these conversations that a co-created interpretation of their experience emerged. This thesis presents the lived experience of seven individuals who were involved in acute trauma events as we have come to understand them at this point in time. The information produced from this research study will be discussed in the fonn of considerations and implications for social work policy, education and counseling

The Clinical Utility of Spirituality and Religion in Meaning-Making Theory for Suicide Loss Survivors: A Scoping Review

In the case of violent/traumatic loss due to a completed suicide, there can be an overwhelming and complicated grief reaction followed by a spiritual need for the process of sense making and finding meaning. Some emerging literature on suicide loss survivors (SLSs) denotes that suicide loss is more similar to other forms of bereavement but is uniquely characterized by high levels of shame, guilt, self-blame, and stigma. This article examines themes within the current literature on the bereavement process, meaning-making theory, religion, and spirituality. The aim of this scoping review was to consider the question concerning the clinical utility of accompanying meaning-making interventions with a spiritually informed approach for SLS. The research was conducted through a scoping review. Records were identified through database searches of ProQuest (N = 93); OMNI (N = 184); and EBSCO (N = 63). Through a process involving identification, screening, and eligibility guided by inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 25 (N = 25) articles were used. These articles were analyzed in-depth for commonalities. Grief experiences, religious and spiritual experiences and meaning-making were three themes that emerged from the literature. In conclusion, this review elevates the importance of an integrated clinical counselling approach that encourages meaning-making within the context of spirituality to promote positive psychotherapy outcomes and growth for SLSs