Date of Conferral

2-10-2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Counselor Education and Supervision

Advisor

Jade Letourneau

Abstract

Church ministry has many written and unwritten rules, responsibilities, and expectations for those who choose to serve in pastoral roles. Some responsibilities and expectations cause church pastors to experience stress and burnout, which has residual effects on their wives and families. Many church leaders or congregations are not aware of or consider the emotional impact of unwritten rules and expectations on the pastors’ wives. The purpose of this narrative research was to explore the stories of Protestant church pastors’ wives and highlight how their various supportive roles in marriage and ministry impacts their emotional and mental health. With a feminist theory lens, considering gender-role expectations and related stressors, seven participants were recruited, meeting the inclusion criteria of being cisgender female, aged 18 or older, and currently or previously in a heterosexual marriage to a male Protestant church pastor. Results from narrative coding identified five common themes: identity development as a pastor’s wife, concern for husband’s emotional well-being, financial responsibility, feeling overwhelmed, and spiritual responsibility/call to ministry. Pastors’ wives freely shared stories about their emotional distress and personal victories within ministry and marriage. The outcomes of the study will help counseling professionals take a more informed approach in providing emotional support, education, and advocacy for pastors’ wives. Counselor educators and supervisors can be better equipped to meet the needs and concerns of this population and employ stress-relieving coping skills and strategies to support pastors’ wives in their various roles.

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