Psychosocial Impacts on Pentecostal Church Pastors of Providing Support to Children in Need of Care and Protection: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Design

Abstract

Pentecostal church pastors are engaged in supporting children in need of care and protec tion. This study employed an interpretative phenomenological analysis design to explore the psychological impacts on pastors of Pentecostal churches supporting children in need of care and protection. The study was conducted in South Africa with 19 criterion pur posively selected Pentecostal church pastors. Semistructured face-to-face interviews were conducted. Data were analyzed thematically, guided by the interpretative phenomenologi cal analysis framework. The trustworthiness of the study was established through adher ence to credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability. Findings indicate that Pentecostal church pastors derive satisfaction and happiness from providing care and sup port to children in need of care and protection. However, their inability to provide the req uisite support results in feelings of sadness and disappointment. The provision of care and support to children encroaches upon the Pentecostal church pastors’ family time and occa sionally necessitates the utilization of family resources to deliver the required assistance. The assistance offered by Pentecostal church pastors to children in need of care and protec tion is accompanied by conflicting emotions of both satisfaction and emotional distress. Researchers recommend collaborative efforts between child protection practitioners, such as social workers and Pentecostal church pastors, to enhance support for children in need of care while maintaining their health and families.