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A Hermeneutic Study of the Curanderismo Experience Among A HERMENEUTIC STUDY OF THE CURANDERISMO EXPERIENCE AMONG LATINOS A Project Presented to the faculty of the Division of Social Work California State University, Sacramento Submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK by Norma E. Zuñiga SPRING 2014 A HERMENEUTIC STUDY OF THE CURANDERISMO EXPERIENCE AMONG LATINOS A Project by Norma E. Zuñiga Approved by: __________________________________, Committee Chair Maria Dinis, Ph.D., MSW Date ii Student: Norma E. Zuñiga I certify that this student has met the requirements for format contained in the University Format Manual, and that this project is suitable for shelving in the Library, and credit is to be awarded for the project. __________________________, Graduate Coordinator Date _________________ Dale Russell, Ed.D., LCSW Division of Social Work iii Abstract of A HERMENEUTIC STUDY OF THE CURANDERISMO EXPERIENCE AMONG LATINOS by Norma E. Zuñiga This study explores the Curanderismo experience among Latinos. This qualitative study was conducted through face-to face interviews. This study used a hermeneutic phenomenological approach and content analysis. Eleven participants were selected for this study using a snowball sampling method. All participants provide personal accounts of their experience with Curanderismo. The four themes that emerged from the interviews are as follows: 1) Spirituality 2) Use of Plant/Herbs 3) Sweat Lodge/Temescal; and 4) Cleansing/Limpia. Implications and recommendations for social work policy and practice are also discussed in this project. __________________________________, Committee Chair Maria Dinis, Ph.D., MSW ____________________________ Date iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank all of the participants who took time out of their day and busy schedules to participate in this study. Without my participants this project would not have come to light. I gained a lot of knowledge about the Latino and Native American community through their stories. This experience has been extremely humbling and a true blessing. I would also like to thank my family and friends. To Eduardo Zuñiga, my husband, for his support and for always being by my side and encouraging me to pursue my dreams. To Edward and Crystal Zuñiga, my children, for being patient and understanding during this process and for being my guiding light. To my parents and siblings for being supportive during my time in graduate school and reminding me how proud they are of my accomplishments. To Martha Gonzales, thanks for putting up with my rants and motherly ways and for being a part of my thesis writing journey. To Fantoya Hill for her words of encouragement and friendship. Last but not least, I would like to thank all of the professors who shared their knowledge and guidance during my time in graduate school, especially to Dr. Dinis. Professor Dinis, thank you for her guidance, positive words, great energy, and good conversation. v TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Acknowledgements ..............................................................................................................v List of Tables .......................................................................................................................x Chapter 1. THE PROBLEM .............................................................................................................1 Introduction ..............................................................................................................1 Background of the Problem .....................................................................................2 Statement of the Research Problem .........................................................................4 Study Purpose ..........................................................................................................5 Research Question ...................................................................................................5 Theoretical Framework ............................................................................................6 Systems Theory ............................................................................................6 Application of Systems Theory .......................................................7 Spirituality....................................................................................................9 Application of Spirituality .............................................................10 Definition of Terms................................................................................................10 Assumptions ...........................................................................................................12 Justification ............................................................................................................12 Delimitations ..........................................................................................................13 Summary ................................................................................................................13 2. REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE ...............................................................................15 vi Introduction ............................................................................................................15 History of Curanderismo........................................................................................15 Folk Illnesses .........................................................................................................18 Healing Practices ...................................................................................................27 Hot and Cold Theory .................................................................................27 Sweat Lodge Ceremony .............................................................................29 Sweat Lodge Structure and Symbolism .........................................30 Risks of Sweat Lodge ....................................................................31 Benefits of Sweat Lodge ................................................................32 Plants/Herbs ...............................................................................................34 Limpias (Cleansing) ...................................................................................35 Spirituality..................................................................................................36 Sweat Ceremony and Spirituality ..................................................37 Gaps in Literature ..................................................................................................37 Summary ................................................................................................................39 3. METHODS ....................................................................................................................40 Introduction ............................................................................................................40 Research Question .................................................................................................40 Study Design ..........................................................................................................40 Study Population ....................................................................................................42 Sampling Population ..............................................................................................43 vii Instrumentation ......................................................................................................44 Validity and Reliability ..........................................................................................45 Data Collection Procedures ....................................................................................47 Data Analysis .........................................................................................................46 Protection of Human Subjects ...............................................................................48 Summary ................................................................................................................49 4. DATA ANALYSIS .......................................................................................................50 Introduction ............................................................................................................50 Demographic Data of the Participants ...................................................................50 Specific Findings and Interpretation of the Findings .............................................51 Spirituality..................................................................................................52 Use of Plants and Herbs .............................................................................56 Sweat Lodge/Temescal ..............................................................................59 Cleansing/Limpia .......................................................................................63 Summary ................................................................................................................65 5. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ........................................................66 Introduction ............................................................................................................66 Conclusions ............................................................................................................66
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