Spiritual bypassing: Unveiling dynamics and remedies of it among Muslim American participants
General Material Designation
[Thesis]
General Material Designation
[Thesis]
General Material Designation
[Thesis]
General Material Designation
[Thesis]
First Statement of Responsibility
Ketam Hamdan
Subsequent Statement of Responsibility
Mihalache, Gabi
.PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION, ETC
Name of Publisher, Distributor, etc.
Institute of Transpersonal Psychology
Date of Publication, Distribution, etc.
2014
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
Specific Material Designation and Extent of Item
192
GENERAL NOTES
Text of Note
Committee members: hedva, beth; smith, jane
NOTES PERTAINING TO PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION, ETC.
Text of Note
Place of publication: United States, Ann Arbor; ISBN=978-1-321-18691-8
DISSERTATION (THESIS) NOTE
Dissertation or thesis details and type of degree
Ph.D.
Discipline of degree
Global Psychology with a concentration in Transpersonal Psychology
Body granting the degree
Institute of Transpersonal Psychology
Text preceding or following the note
2014
SUMMARY OR ABSTRACT
Text of Note
This heuristic study was designed to investigate spiritual bypassing, defined as a person's utilization of spiritual practices and beliefs to avoid unresolved psychological issues. The research question asked how to identify and remedy spiritual bypassing among Muslim American participants? Relevance of both holistic development and attachment theory were discussed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 participants (5 women and 5 men), who also completed the Relationship Structures: Attachment Style Across Relationships Questionnaire. Findings indicate 7 major themes in the lived experience of spiritual bypassing: (a) relational emotional grief, (b) relationship pain triggers a return to religion, (c) accessing deeper meaning, (d) intimate relationships as barometer of psychological growth, (e) integrating spirituality and psychotherapy for holistic development, (f) 6 dynamics of spiritual bypassing, and (g) 8 remedies for overcoming spiritual bypassing. The 6 dynamics of spiritual bypassing were (a) socially / culturally preconditioned to turn to religion, (b) used spirituality to emotionally numb issues, (c) behavior not aligned with values, (d) used spirituality to fill a void, (e) misconstrued God as a secure attachment figure, and (f) holier than thou attitude. The 8 remedies used by participants to overcome spiritual bypassing were (a) psychotherapy, (b) assumed responsibility and gained self-control, (c) understood change takes continuous effort, (d) recognized that the growth process is nonlinear and unclear, (e) consulted a therapist with spiritual knowledge, (f) Managed negative mind chatter and inner critic, (g) developed a variety of tools, and (h) embraced the rollercoaster of emotions. Suffering extreme pain from a relationship problem, breakup, or divorce was the catalyst for setting the process of spiritual bypassing and growth in motion for all participants. Deepening current understanding of spiritual bypassing as a constructive defense mechanism among transpersonal therapists and spiritual guidance professionals is a contribution to the field. Succinctly, this study demonstrates the importance of psychological growth in complementing spiritual growth.