Acculturation and Intercultural Learning of Missionaries, Their Families, and the Role of Women in the Christian Mission—A Review of Literature from 1954 to 2010

This literature review summarises a wide range of empirical and systematic studies published between 1954 and 2010, including anthropological, cultural, historical, psychological, and sociological perspectives still underrepresented in cross-cultural communication and competence. Missionaries’ adapt...

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Main Author: Maik Arnold
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-03-01
Series:Religions
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/14/3/383
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author Maik Arnold
author_facet Maik Arnold
author_sort Maik Arnold
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description This literature review summarises a wide range of empirical and systematic studies published between 1954 and 2010, including anthropological, cultural, historical, psychological, and sociological perspectives still underrepresented in cross-cultural communication and competence. Missionaries’ adaptation and acculturation, as well as of their families to new social and cultural environments and during reintegration at home are characterised by stressful experiences such as critical life events, premature termination, and upcoming retirements. Other studies highlight that certain personality traits and an ability to cope with psychological stress can predict the effectiveness of a mission assignment, e.g., spiritual and organisational commitment and expectations. Additionally, the review brings to light different role orientations of missionary wives, the psychological well-being within marriage, and the role of women in the Christian mission. Eventually, all findings will be subject to critical analysis and be instrumental in providing future research perspectives.
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spelling doaj.art-2b24bcfdf5824a8d95e3596ea81740eb2023-11-17T13:36:54ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442023-03-0114338310.3390/rel14030383Acculturation and Intercultural Learning of Missionaries, Their Families, and the Role of Women in the Christian Mission—A Review of Literature from 1954 to 2010Maik Arnold0Faculty of Applied Social Sciences, Fachhochschule Dresden, D-01069 Dresden, GermanyThis literature review summarises a wide range of empirical and systematic studies published between 1954 and 2010, including anthropological, cultural, historical, psychological, and sociological perspectives still underrepresented in cross-cultural communication and competence. Missionaries’ adaptation and acculturation, as well as of their families to new social and cultural environments and during reintegration at home are characterised by stressful experiences such as critical life events, premature termination, and upcoming retirements. Other studies highlight that certain personality traits and an ability to cope with psychological stress can predict the effectiveness of a mission assignment, e.g., spiritual and organisational commitment and expectations. Additionally, the review brings to light different role orientations of missionary wives, the psychological well-being within marriage, and the role of women in the Christian mission. Eventually, all findings will be subject to critical analysis and be instrumental in providing future research perspectives.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/14/3/383acculturationintercultural learningmission studiesmissionary familiesChristian missionmissionary effectiveness
spellingShingle Maik Arnold
Acculturation and Intercultural Learning of Missionaries, Their Families, and the Role of Women in the Christian Mission—A Review of Literature from 1954 to 2010
Religions
acculturation
intercultural learning
mission studies
missionary families
Christian mission
missionary effectiveness
title Acculturation and Intercultural Learning of Missionaries, Their Families, and the Role of Women in the Christian Mission—A Review of Literature from 1954 to 2010
title_full Acculturation and Intercultural Learning of Missionaries, Their Families, and the Role of Women in the Christian Mission—A Review of Literature from 1954 to 2010
title_fullStr Acculturation and Intercultural Learning of Missionaries, Their Families, and the Role of Women in the Christian Mission—A Review of Literature from 1954 to 2010
title_full_unstemmed Acculturation and Intercultural Learning of Missionaries, Their Families, and the Role of Women in the Christian Mission—A Review of Literature from 1954 to 2010
title_short Acculturation and Intercultural Learning of Missionaries, Their Families, and the Role of Women in the Christian Mission—A Review of Literature from 1954 to 2010
title_sort acculturation and intercultural learning of missionaries their families and the role of women in the christian mission a review of literature from 1954 to 2010
topic acculturation
intercultural learning
mission studies
missionary families
Christian mission
missionary effectiveness
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/14/3/383
work_keys_str_mv AT maikarnold acculturationandinterculturallearningofmissionariestheirfamiliesandtheroleofwomeninthechristianmissionareviewofliteraturefrom1954to2010