A Constructivist Grounded Theory Of Self-Disclosure In Hybrid Pastoral Care

This thesis explores the transformative dynamics of computer-mediated communication (CMC) to self-disclosure in pastoral care, a field traditionally dominated by face-to-face interactions. While digital platforms are rapidly proliferating, this research seeks to address a critical gap in the literature at the intersection of instant messaging, self-disclosure, and pastoral care. Considering Joinson’s (2001) finding that people self-disclose more through instant messaging platforms than face-to-face, this study will focus on the Seventh-day Adventist Church to explore how pastoral care providers perceive the impact of instant messaging platforms on self-disclosure and the ethical implications inherent in using commercial, data-driven platforms for such intimate communication.

Employing Constructivist Grounded Theory (CGT), the research conducted 30 semi-structured interviews with Adventist district and digital pastors from around the world. The methodology facilitated the development of a CGT of self-disclosure in hybrid pastoral care, a model that integrates both face-to-face and online interactions. This CGT suggests the most effective approach to encourage self-disclosure in pastoral care hinges on the alignment of 26 core factors specific to the pastoral care provider, the recipient, and the context within which pastoral care occurs. The original contribution to knowledge of this research is a conceptual framework which defines the relationship between key factors that directly influence self-disclosure in Seventh-day Adventist hybrid pastoral care, incorporating both digital and face-to-face interactions.