Page 170 - EMCAPP-Journal No. 14

Laurie A. Tone, Fernando Garzon, Laurie A. Tone,
John C. Thomas, Brigitte Ritchey, Ph.D. Laurie, her
Mike Malek-Ahmadi (USA) husband and two
daughters served
Stress Perception as missionaries

and Measurement in in Costa Rica,
Argentina
and
Missionary Populations Miami FL. Lau-
rie has extensi-
ve experience in
Abstract cross-cultural
Christian missionaries experience numerous counseling and
stressors across multiple domains. To under- holds professional counseling licenses in 3
stand their unique experiences, a targeted as- states in various disciplines. She has provi-
sessment is required. There is no known psy- ded member care services both nationally
chometrically tested measure that captures the and internationally and offers member care
nuances of stress for this population. To that consultation and workshops on a per diem
end, as part of a larger study, the quantitative basis. Laurie serves as Adjunct Counseling
CHOPS Stress Inventory, a new tool for measu- Faculty and Practicum/Internship Evaluator
ring missionary stress was developed and sho- at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix,
wed good initial psychometric qualities when Arizona.
compared to an established stress measure. membercareconsultant@gmail.com
Furthermore, the Analysis of covariance (AN-
COVA) of survey findings on 267 cross-cultural
evangelical missionaries noted that both age Missionary Stressors and Member Care Ser-
and sex demonstrated significant effects on per- vices
ceived stress scores. Implications for missiona- A number of researchers have identified the
ry member care services and recommendations high degree and types of stressors missionaries
for future research are discussed. encounter (Bagley, 2003; Carter, 1999; Gish,
Keywords: stress perception, missionary mem- 1983; Foyle, 1987, 2001; Irvine, Armentrout, &
ber care, cross-cultural stress measurement Miner, 2006). This stress can exist on a continu-
um from mild to severe and from normative to
Stress Perception and Measurement in Mis- non-normative across the lifespan of the mis-
sionary Populations sionary. Due to the nature of cross-cultural ser-
Serving as a missionary can be one of the most vice, missionaries often encounter both internal
enriching (Foyle, 2001) and life-shaping expe- and external stressors across several domains
riences (Eenigenburg & Bliss, 2010), bringing simultaneously. Too much stress over an exten-
great joy and rewards along with accelerated ded period of time can lead to a number of ne-
spiritual growth, deepening of faith, and an gative health and interpersonal consequences
increased dependence on God. Yet, those who (Cohen, Janicki-Deverts, & Miller, 2007; Cozo-
respond to this call and go into cross-cultural lino, 2010; Gurung, 2014; Jennings, 2007) and
contexts often encounter extraordinarily dif- it is typically the accumulation of stressors that
ficult and stressful circumstances (O’Donnell impair missionary service (Befus, 2018; Che-
& Lewis -O’Donnell, 1988, 1992, 2009, 2012). ster, 1983; Schwandt & Moriarty, 2008).
Schaefer et al. (2007) report that while pursuing Despite the number of stressors, numerous stu-
purposes they strongly believe in, missionaries dies suggest that missionaries may be reluctant
and aid workers expose themselves to adjust- to share their vulnerabilities (Eenigenburg &
ment challenges, health risks, and increased Bliss, 2010; Mills, 2008; Strand, Pinkston, Chen,
risks of trauma. & Richardson, 2015, Vanderpol, 1994). Chester

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