Kognitiewe herstrukturering na selfmoord van 'n huweliksmaat : 'n pastorale studie

Abstract

In the past, research has been done on suicide as a phenomenon. This focus has been changed over the years to support the people that have been left behind after the suicide has been committed. This study’s aim is to examine the way in which cognitive restructuring can be of use in pastoral care to help a person whose spouse has committed suicide to work through her grieving process. In the exegetical study, the author has used Ecclesiastes 7:1-14 and Psalm 94 in the Old Testament, as well as Romans 12:1-2 and 1 Peter 1:13-15 in the New Testament to form the basis theory of cognitive restructuring. Ecclesiastes 7:1-14 motivates believers to live through their sorrows by not denying their emotional pain. The poet of Psalm 94 finds himself in circumstances in which he could easily believe that God has forsaken him. He argues that God is his shelter, no matter what the circumstances are. Paul calls upon the believers in Romans 12:1-2 to offer, by the mercy of God, their lives to him. They have to let God transform their minds. Peter says in 1 Peter 1:13-15 that the believer must be holy, for God is holy. Because God has implanted holiness in believers, they have to strive to be holy. In an attempt to broaden the basis theory, the author had to use the theological basis theory by examining popular theological pastoral studies. The grieving process plays a major role in the pastoral practice. It has been clear to the author that this grieving process is influenced by negative thoughts, choices and lies that have been believed to be the truth, as well as by the truth itself. As far as the metatheory is concerned, the focus has been on the contribution made by disciplines outside theology. At first, psychology is discussed briefly to determine where cognitive restructuring is situated in the broader picture of psychology and psychiatry. This is also used to argue the choice of using cognitive restructuring after a spouse’s suicide. Cognitive restructuring as a psychological approach has been discussed, as well as the physiological processing of information in the recalling of this information. The phenomenon of suicide, as well as the influence of suicide on the spouse, has been discussed. The author has found that schemes, perception and intuitive thinking have been influenced by the reaction of the community, the stigma surrounding suicide and the spouse’s own schemes, perceptions and intuitive thinking, and that these all play a role in the grieving process of the spouse. Cognitive restructuring argues against the spouse’s schemes, perceptions and intuitive thinking. The researcher has used six persons who have survived the suicide of their spouses as participants in an empirical research to verify, confirm and broaden the above mentioned theories. It has been determined that schemes, perceptions and intuitive thinking are present and influence the grieving process of the spouse. In cases where cognitive restructuring has been used, the grieving process of the spouse followed naturally and healing was attained. Following the above research, the researcher has developed a practice theory of cognitive restructuring after a spouse’s suicide.