1. Sorajjakool, Siroj
Listening to Rahab: Children, Adolescents, and the Sex Industry in Thailand
This research explores the changing forms of child prostitution in Thailand; the economic transformation from agricultural to industrial society; the psychological impacts on children and women who engage in prostitution; the encounters with the AIDS epidemic; and theological reflections on this issue. This research is based on a wide variety of sources and interviews with 10 prostitutes and with other agencies involved in helping women and children who are victims of this industry. This manuscript has been submitted to Hawthorn Press, July 2001, and will hopefully be published by the end of 2002 or beginning of 2003.
2. Sorajjakool, Siroj, Leigh Aveling, Scott Lee, &Vaughan Grant
An Assessment of Whole Person Care among Diabetic Patients
Loma Linda University Medical Center, ongoing
This research aims at assessing the role of religion and spirituality among diabetic patients in their attempt at coping with this illness. It's focus is the affect of Spirituality on compliance and wholeness in patients with Diabetes. Because compliance to diet, exercise and general health is so important in the treatment of Diabetes we hope to ascertain that patients who have a well grounded spiritual / religious life are generally more compliant and thereby more likely to be less affected by Diabetes.
3. Sorajjakool, Siroj, & Bryn Seyle
A Study of Constructed Meanings in the Face of Illness among Cancer Patients Loma Linda University & Medical Center, ongoing
It is a part of human nature to try and make sense out of life; out of experiences both good and bad. However, when confronted with crisis, individuals often question the meaning of existence. It is easy to see meaning when things are going well. Yet, when one faces intolerable pain, how is it possible to integrate the experience of pain with meaningful existence?
A common experience among chaplains is to observe how patients try to find explanation for their pain in such a way that will affirm their sense of self. Reflecting on these experiences it is perhaps reasonable to say that pain is only intolerable when it is totally meaningless. Finding meaning in illness is a core spiritual issue for patients. The hunch is that we often construct meaning when we are confronted with an illness that is life threatening or that results in a major loss.
This research will provide opportunities for patients interviewed to reflect on their spiritual journey, as well as furthering our understanding of the role of spirituality as a tool that enables one to deal with major crisis in life.
4. Ramirez, J., D. Castrol, L. K. Loo, L. E. Skoretz, D. L. Stottlemyer, An Ethnographic
Study of Patients' Cautionary Views About Integration of Spirituality into
their Medical Care
Loma Linda University & Medical Center
Purpose: Spirituality and prayer are important to most people. Two-thirds of the American public believe physicians should talk to their patients about spiritual issues and pray with those who request it. Through the use of ethnographic, in depth interviews, patients were invited to discuss their perspectives on the integration of spirituality into their current medical care.
Results: A total of 71 transcribed pages produced 16 categories. From this matrix of 113 category entries emerged a prominent theme of "patients' cautionary words about integration of spirituality into medical care." 23 cautionary statements were organized into 7 areas of concern. First, patients perceived the need to find compatibility between the physician's meaning of prayer and their own belief system--"I don't know what kind of religion they are [MDs]...that would matter to me." Second, before prayer is offered the physician would be expected to ask for permission. Third, for spiritual care to be meaningful "it cannot be something that is going to be written in a textbook and you follow A, B, C because every one is different, both physician and patient." The fourth and fifth areas of concern are seemingly contradictory perspectives. Introducing prayer could be interpreted as a statement of "how bad" the patients' prognosis "really is." On the other hand, when the situation is desperate and there are seemingly no medical options, prayer is welcomed and accepted even by those who might reject it otherwise. The sixth caution was for physicians not to forget that they can use prayer as a vehicle for promoting hope and "positive feelings." The last cautionary statement was the perceived need for a spiritual ambiance that includes cleanliness, religious paraphernalia (like crucifixes and paintings), and a welcoming spiritual milieu.
Conclusion: When inviting patients for prayer, physicians are expected to be personal and meaningful not generic or emasculated from a particular faith tradition. At the same time physicians need to carefully avoid specific doctrinal statements that might be offensive to patients. This process needs to begin by a systematic informed consent that forewarns the patient. The need to communicate hope is well served by prayer and spirituality; even those who would reject a physician's prayer may welcome prayer from a different source.
5. Ramirez, Johnny
ADVANCE
North American Division, SDA Churches
Purpose: A study of Hispanic church members that came about as an over sampling for better representation of Hispanic Adventist church members in North America (the fastest growing segment of the NA SDA Church). The aim is to discover the beliefs, behaviors, and attitudes that foment a positive Christian lifestyle and prevent risky behaviors (premarital sex, drugs, alcohol, etc.).
Results: The study has identified how the positive attitudes and behaviors come about as a result of the interactions between home, church, and school. The study also shows how a language conflict exists between English and Spanish at Hispanic churches through out the NAD.
Conclusion: The church, home, and school can work together in promoting a healthy religious ideology that in turn promotes a healthy lifestyle.
This manuscript will hopefully be published by LLU Press end of 2001.
6. Gober, Carla
The Hush Harbor as Arena for Memory Construction: Implication for the Contemporary
World
Emory University
This paper discusses the social construction of memory as it relates to the hush harbors of slaves before emancipation. I argue that in that arena there was a unique type of memory construction. It was based on a specific type of understanding about God (different from the dominant or oppressing group); memories were "woven" together through social sharing, narration, and song. Together, this helped slaves form identities and deal with trauma in unique ways that have implications for social groups in the contemporary world, i.e. families and churches.
Last Revised: Thu, May 31, 2007
