Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Strategies Employed By Clergy To Prevent And Cope With Interpersonal Isolation, Ryan C. Staley, Mark R. Mcminn, Kathleen Gathercoal, Kurt Free

Faculty Publications - Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Program

Numerous studies have affirmed that interpersonal isolation is one of the unique challenges clergy face. This study examined the experience of interpersonal isolation among a sample of clergy serving in a senior pastor role by having them complete a modified form of the Social Support Questionnaire, Short Form (SSQSR), as well as six open-ended interview questions. The interview responses of clergy participants were compared based on a median split of the SSQSR satisfaction scores. Analysis of clergy responses revealed several prominent themes in the following areas: barriers to establishing supportive relationships, strategies for establishing and maintaining supportive relationships, lack of …