Depression Among International Missionaries
Running Head: DEPRESSION AMONG MISSIONARIES
Depression Among International Missionaries
Jonathan E. Sullivan
Liberty University
Abstract
Missionaries have a unique calling accompanied by unique challenges over the course of their service. As these individuals and families face these challenges, depression can be an enemy that hinders and even stops the good work they perform. While most of the time a professional counselor can be seen in the United States to help with depression, a therapist may not be so readily available in remote parts of the world. This paper looks at the factors that may lead to depression for those on the mission field and some preventative measures that may be taken to avoid major depression. The well being of these individuals and families is of paramount importance because of the scope and nature of their work.
Depression Among International Missionaries The missionary and their work have always been of great fascination to this author. The stories of these men and women taking the gospel to the jungles of Africa, communistic Russia, and other global destinations have always been at the forefront of many denomination’s teaching and focus. Missionary agencies, sending boards, and churches have dispatched countless missionaries to international soil ever since the early part of the 19th century, which was the beginning of the modern missionary movement (Kennedy & Dreger, 1974). Men, women, and families have responded to God’s call on their lives at various points in their life and have traveled the world to carry the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who have never heard that good news. These people give up the comforts of their homeland, financial prosperity, security, culture, and leave their remaining family behind to serve the Lord in a distant land.
This missionary spirit has been around since the early days of the biblical book of Genesis. In this first book of the bible, God speaks to Abraham and instructs him to
Depression Among International Missionaries
Jonathan E. Sullivan
Liberty University
Abstract
Missionaries have a unique calling accompanied by unique challenges over the course of their service. As these individuals and families face these challenges, depression can be an enemy that hinders and even stops the good work they perform. While most of the time a professional counselor can be seen in the United States to help with depression, a therapist may not be so readily available in remote parts of the world. This paper looks at the factors that may lead to depression for those on the mission field and some preventative measures that may be taken to avoid major depression. The well being of these individuals and families is of paramount importance because of the scope and nature of their work.
Depression Among International Missionaries The missionary and their work have always been of great fascination to this author. The stories of these men and women taking the gospel to the jungles of Africa, communistic Russia, and other global destinations have always been at the forefront of many denomination’s teaching and focus. Missionary agencies, sending boards, and churches have dispatched countless missionaries to international soil ever since the early part of the 19th century, which was the beginning of the modern missionary movement (Kennedy & Dreger, 1974). Men, women, and families have responded to God’s call on their lives at various points in their life and have traveled the world to carry the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who have never heard that good news. These people give up the comforts of their homeland, financial prosperity, security, culture, and leave their remaining family behind to serve the Lord in a distant land.
This missionary spirit has been around since the early days of the biblical book of Genesis. In this first book of the bible, God speaks to Abraham and instructs him to
References: American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-IV TR (4th ed.) Bagley, R (2003). Trauma and traumatic stress among missionaries. Journal of Psychology and Theology Barnett, K, Duvall, N, Edwards, K, & Hall, M (2005). Psychology and spiritual predictors of domains of functioning and effectiveness of short term missionaries Bjork, JP & Kim JW (2009). Religious coping, religious support, and psychological functioning among short-term missionaries 12, 7, 611-626. Crawford, N & DeVries, H (2005) Diab, I (2005). Western missionary work in the middle east after September eleven. International Congregational Journal Doty, Donald. (2005, March). Missionary health preparation. Retrieved from http://www.lds.org/Idsorg/v/index.jsp. Foxe, J (2001). Foxe’s book of martyrs. (updated up to the 21st century). Gainesville, FL: Bridge- Logos Hall, M & Sweatman, S (2002). On the use and misuse of psychological assessment in missionary candidate evaluations Halloran, E (1998). The role of marital power in depression and marital distress. The American Journal of Family Therapy Hart, A (1999). The anxiety cure. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishing. Holy Bible, New King James Version (1996). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman. International Mission Board. (2010, February). Retrieved February 2, 2010 from http://www.imb.org/globalresearch Kennedy, P & Dreger, R (1974). Development of Criterion Measures of Overseas Missionary Performance Mazure, C (1998). Life stressors as risk factors in depression. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice Maddux, J & Winstead, B (2005). Psychopathology; foundations for a contemporary understanding Miller, B (1980). William Carey; the father of modern missions. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Zondervan Publishing House Rosik, C & Pandzic, J (2008). Marital satisfaction among Christian missionaries: a longitudinal Analysis from candidacy to second furlough Rosik, C, Richards, A, & Fannon, T (2005). Member care experiences and needs: findings from A study of east African missionaries Schubert, E (1991). Personality disorders and the selection process for overseas missionaries. International Bulletin of Missionary Research. 15, 1, 33-36 Wang, L & Crane, D (2001) Wilson, S (2001). Hurt people, hurt people; hope and healing for yourself and your relationships