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Journal of Religion and Health
Published in: Journal of Religion and Health 2/2019

01-04-2019 | Original Paper

An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of a Religious Conversion

Authors: Naved Iqbal, Anca Radulescu, Anjuman Bains, Sheema Aleem

Published in: Journal of Religion and Health | Issue 2/2019

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Abstract

Religious conversion is an important phenomenon in contemporary religious climate, but existing psychology research work is mostly based on quantitative methods. In an attempt to contribute to this field, the present study proposes a qualitative exploration of religious conversion. The in-depth interview of a French woman is examined in order to investigate her experience of religious conversion, 40 years prior. The interview was analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis, with the purpose of revealing how the participant experienced the process of religious conversion, what was its impact on her life, identity and personality and how she coped with this impact. The four emerging themes were: conflicted relationship with Judaism, the pursuit of a spiritual quest, changes after conversion and life after conversion. These themes painted the image of a powerful spiritual transformation, a profound and dynamic lifelong process, integrating concepts and practices, life changes and developments. The findings are explained with the help of available literature.
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Metadata
Title
An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of a Religious Conversion
Authors
Naved Iqbal
Anca Radulescu
Anjuman Bains
Sheema Aleem
Publication date
01-04-2019
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Religion and Health / Issue 2/2019
Print ISSN: 0022-4197
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6571
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-017-0463-4

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