WORK-FAMILY SPILLOVER EXPERIENCES OF WOMEN IN MINISTRY A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF THE TEXAS WOMAN’S UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY SCIENCES COLLEGE OF PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION BY BIRNEY JOSHUA FISH B.A., M.A. DENTON, TEXAS DECEMBER 2018 Copyright© 2018 by Birney Joshua Fish DEDICATION To my amazing and loving wife, Ashley. To my incredibly supportive family. To Jesus, you are my light and my shepherd; it is in you that I do all that I do and find my purpose and strength. ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to thank the countless individuals who provided their assistance, gentle guidance, and timely encouragement throughout the process of my doctoral work. To my committee members Dr. Aaron Norton, Dr. Linda Brock, and Dr. Karen Petty thank you for your amazing leadership and wisdom that more than aided me in completing this dissertation. Thank you to all of my professors, both in my master’s and doctoral programs, at Johnson University and at Texas Woman’s University. In particular, I would like to thank Dr. Glen Jennings and Dr. Sarah Woods. I am forever grateful for the impact the two of you have had on me academically and professionally, but most of all personally as you challenged me to not only to be a better therapist but a better person. I would also like to thank the amazing women who agreed to participate in this study. Thank you for allowing me the honor to hear your personal stories and experiences of what it means to be a woman, a wife, and a mother in ministry. You have taught me more than this dissertation could possibly illustrate. I wish you all the best as you continue to pursue your passion and calling. Finally, I would like to gratefully acknowledge the countless others who have contributed to my ability to complete this dissertation process through your encouragement and support. To my parents, Mark and Sheila; my sisters, Johanna and Shannon; the leadership and members of Cross Bend Christian Church; Sarah Proctor; Vika Claytor; and the faculty, staff, and students at Johnson University, thank you. Last iii but certainly not least, I would like to thank my amazing wife, Ashley. No one carried me through my graduate studies more than you. Thank you for your countless sacrifices, support, and patience throughout this doctoral journey. Your prayers and encouragement have meant more to me than I could ever express. I could not have completed this process without you. iv ABSTRACT BIRNEY JOSHUA FISH WORK-FAMILY SPILLOVER EXPERIENCES OF WOMEN IN MINISTRY DECEMBER 2018 The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the experiences of women in ministry, and their perceptions on the impact ministry have had on their marriages and families. The theoretical framework for this study was based on Reuben Hill’s (1949; 1958) family stress theory and Murray Bowen’s (1976; 1978) family systemic theory combined with a phenomenological approach to provide a voice to the experiences and values of a previously understudied population of individuals within the field of ministry. The researcher utilized in-depth interviews to collect and analyze data with 13 female participants, who had served in at least one ministry position while being married. All interviews were digitally recorded and then transcribed. After the transcription process, data were coded, and emergent themes were identified. Six major themes, numerous sub-themes, and seven values statements emerged from the data analysis process. This study helps to expand what is known about the impact a career in ministry can have on personal, marital, and familial relationships through the perceptions of the often understudied, yet ever-increasing, population of female clergy. This research has implications for individuals employed or entering vocational ministry, the spouses and families of women in ministry, ministry educators, family life educators, family v scientists, employers of women in ministry, and restorative professionals and organizations who work with ministers and their families (i.e., family therapists). vi TABLE OF CONTENTS Page DEDICATION .................................................................................................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ................................................................................................. iii ABSTRACT .........................................................................................................................v LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................. xi LIST OF FIGURES .......................................................................................................... xii I. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................1 Statement of the Problem .........................................................................................2 Significance of the Study .........................................................................................3 Theoretical and Methodological Framework of the study .......................................4 Research Questions ..................................................................................................5 Definition of Terms..................................................................................................6 Delimitations ............................................................................................................7 Potential Researcher Bias ........................................................................................8 Summary ..................................................................................................................8 II. LITERATURE REVIEW ..............................................................................................10 Introduction ............................................................................................................10 Ministry ..................................................................................................................11 Ministry Compared with Other Helping Professions.................................13 Women in Ministry ................................................................................................14 History of Women in Ministry ...................................................................19 Work-Family Spillover and Burnout .....................................................................20 Work-Life Spillover and Burnout in Women ............................................23 Ministry Burnout Compared with Other Helping Professions ..................26 Work-Family Spillover and Burnout in Ministry ......................................26 Work-Related Stressors Particular for Women in Ministry .......................33 Impact of Spirituality and Religion on Marriages .................................................37 Issues in Clergy Marriages.....................................................................................37 Impact of Ministry Stress on Clergy Marriages .........................................38 vii Impact of Ministry Relocation on Clergy Marriages .................................41 Issues in Clergy Families .......................................................................................42 Importance of Social Support on Clergy Marriages and Families .........................44 Impact of Ministry Stress Specific to Clergywomen Marriages and Families ......47 Summary ................................................................................................................49 III. METHODOLOGY ......................................................................................................52 Introduction ............................................................................................................52 Research Design.....................................................................................................53 Methodological Framework ...................................................................................54 Methodological Appropriateness ...............................................................54 Theoretical Framework ..........................................................................................56 Role of the Researcher ...........................................................................................58 Validity, Quality and Trustworthiness ...................................................................60 Procedure ...................................................................................................61 Interview Questions ...............................................................................................69 Participants .............................................................................................................71 Saturation ...................................................................................................72 Ethical Considerations of the Study .......................................................................73 Summary ................................................................................................................75 IV. RESULTS ....................................................................................................................76 Introduction ............................................................................................................76