Resilience in re-entering missionaries: why do some do well?

Abstract

Re-entry to their country of origin is a significant disruption for a number of sojourners including missionaries. Although missionary re-entry has been studied in depth for over 20 years, little is known about what makes a missionary resilient to the challenges experienced in the stressful re-entry environment. Research suggests there are psychological, social, spiritual, and biological constructs connected with resilience. The aim of this paper is to answer the question “Why do some re-entering missionaries do well while others do not?” Fifteen adult Australian Christian cross-cultural missionary workers from four interdenominational Australian evangelical mission organisations completed semi-structured interviews and a survey. Results were analysed in two stages using modified consensual qualitative research methods. Links were established between resilience on re-entry and flexibility, expectancy, self-determination, denial using minimisation, mental health, social support, reintegration and personal spiritual connection with God. Implications for missionary care are discussed with suggestions for further research.

Keywords:

• resilience
• missionaries
• mental health
• acculturation

Acknowledgements

The project was supported by the following funding: The PHCRED Program (Australian Department of Health and Aging) and The University of Adelaide Faculty of Health Sciences in supporting the PhD Thesis: The Development of a Repatriation Program to Deal with issues of Grief and Loss in Adult Australian Cross-cultural workers.

We gratefully acknowledge the valuable contribution of the participants and sending agencies to this study. We also acknowledge the excellent support of the administrative staff, IT staff and the statistician, Dr Nancy Briggs in the Discipline of General Practice, The University of Adelaide and Drs Joanne Dollard, Caroline Lawrence and Derrick Selby who read various drafts and assisted with the formatting. The first author also wishes to acknowledge her email prayer group for their spiritual support.