A phenomenology of spiritual bypass: Causes, consequences, and implications. Issue 4 (2nd October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Picciotto, Gabriela; Fox, Jesse; Neto, Félix
• Is Part Of: Journal of spirituality in mental health. Volume 20:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 333
• Page End: 354
• Publication Date: 2018-10-02
• Subjects: Spiritual bypass -- spirituality -- phenomenology -- conventional content analysis; Spiritual healing -- Periodicals; Psychotherapy -- Religious aspects -- Christianity -- Periodicals; Pastoral care -- Periodicals; Pastoral counseling -- Periodicals; 253.505
• DOI: 10.1080/19349637.2017.1417756
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1934-9637

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Spirituality is a fundamental dimension of wellness. However, scholars have noted that not all spiritual processes are healthy. One of those processes is spiritual bypass, defined as a defensive psychological posture cultivated by a tendency to privilege spiritual beliefs or experiences over and against psychological needs creating a means of avoiding or bypassing difficult emotions or experiences. This study's purpose was to explore the phenomenology of spiritual bypass through eight, semi-structured interviews. The results of the phenomenology yielded 48 codes clustered into 10 categories, two broader themes and one stand-alone category. Clinical implications and directions for future research are discussed.