Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Theology
Program Name/Specialization
Spiritual Care and Counselling
Faculty/School
Martin Luther University College
First Advisor
Dr. Kristine Lund
Advisor Role
Guidance, Mentorship, Research Proposal Development, Research Direction, Feedback, Review and Preparation for Defense.
Abstract
Abstract
Canadian Imams, like many other religious leaders, provide counselling for members of their congregations though most of them have no formal training in psychotherapeutic counselling. The very nature of the Imams’ multiple roles in the community leads to the development of dual relationships. These dual relationships can create an ethical dilemma for Imams because they have a potential to affect the congregants positively or detrimentally. This phenomenological qualitative study explored the lived experience of 15 psychotherapeutically untrained Canadian Imams with dual relationships. Within a psychotherapeutic and an Islamic theoretical framework, this study provided a thorough analysis of five superordinate themes and 32 subthemes: Imams’ perceptions of dual relationships, positive impacts of dual relationships, negative impacts of dual relationships, types of dual relationships, and strategies for managing and coping with dual relationships. The study concluded that Imams’ professional counselling training is paramount to increasing their level of awareness of dual relationships and managing the related ethical challenges. Both psychotherapy and Islamic literature supported Imams’ views that dual relationships are inevitable due to the Imam’s multifaceted role, are not inherently harmful and could be potentially positive spiritually and therapeutically if the Imams follow certain ethical strategies to manage and avoid potential harms. This study focused on the non-sexual dual relationships of Sunni Imams hence it is recommended for future research to explore sexual dual relationships, congregants’ lived experiences with dual relationships, and Shia Imams’ dual relationships with their communities.
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Recommended Citation
Abuelezz, Muhammad, "Dual Relationships of Psychotherapeutically Untrained Imams Who Counsel Their Congregants: A Qualitative Study" (2024). Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive). 2609.
https://scholars.wlu.ca/etd/2609
Convocation Year
2024
Convocation Season
Spring