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Green, Jamie I. (2024) Supporting UK Baptist clergy health, wellbeing, and self-care: intervention development and testing. PhD thesis, University of Nottingham.

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Abstract

Background: An examination of the current national and international literature regarding Christian clergy health and wellbeing indicates significant health deficits against comparative adult populations. To date, UK research is scant, with no published works concerning the holistic health, wellbeing, and self-care behaviours of Baptist church clergy. The potential influence of clergy within communities, known health disparities, and the lack of UK-specific research highlight an imperative for further investigation in this occupational group.

Methods: Four interrelated investigations are presented in this thesis. The first comprises a quantitative profile of clergy health and wellbeing based on survey responses from 55 UK Baptist clergy. Study two used qualitative methods to explore the rich lived experiences of 20 UK Baptist clergy in relation to their barriers and facilitators to positive self-care behaviours. Study three presents a systemised literature review of clergy health and wellbeing interventions, including what elements are shown to be acceptable, feasible, and effective at promoting behaviour change. The final component builds on the first three stages and considers the views of 11 UK Baptist clergy on the acceptability and feasibility of a tailored holistic self-care intervention.

Results: Data from Study one highlighted that respondents’ health and wellbeing profile was generally similar or inferior to that observed in clergy from other denominations and wider adult population. In the interview phase, clergy indicated a range of overlapping self-care barriers with particularly prominent features in the social and spiritual domains. Identified facilitators included the necessity to take time out, the experience of inter-related health facets (mental and physical) and biblical imperatives to self-care e.g., the example of Christ. Study three identified prominent characteristics from 18 international clergy health and wellbeing interventions. These components included taught sections, self-reflection, group work, and a theological foundation. The final intervention showed acceptability and feasibility across evaluation criteria.

Conclusions: The research in this thesis adds to the limited scientific knowledge base on clergy health and wellbeing in several ways. The studies presented are the first of their kind involving UK Baptist clergy. Findings have highlighted the need for change and improvement in clergy health and wellbeing at the individual, church, and support agency level. Additionally, these works provide a valuable foundation and framework for future health and wellbeing research and interventions in Baptist clergy.

Item Type:	Thesis (University of Nottingham only) (PhD)
Supervisors:	Houdmont, Jonathan Thomson, Louise
Keywords:	baptist clergy--health and hygiene, baptists, uk, great britain
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BX Christian denominations W Medicine and related subjects (NLM Classification) > W Health professions
Faculties/Schools:	UK Campuses > Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Medicine
Item ID:	80010
Depositing User:	Green, Jamie
Date Deposited:	11 Dec 2024 04:40
Last Modified:	11 Dec 2024 04:40
URI:	https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/80010

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