Individual, Family, and Community Education ETDs

Publication Date

Summer 8-1-2021

Abstract

This interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) explored the experiences of Hispanic female counselors in rural New Mexico conceptualization and practice of self-care and wellness. The aim of the study was to understand the systemic, environmental, and cultural factors that reinforce and prevent resilience and wellness. Data consisted of two interviews: one structured hour-long demographic interview and one semi-structured hour-long interview related to the participant’s experience of identity, professional counseling, and self-care. Participants included 9 Hispanic women practicing professional counseling and living in various rural communities in New Mexico. Six main themes identified systemic, environmental, and cultural strengths and barriers for participants to practice self-care, resiliency, and wellness: (1) maintaining a sense of purpose, (2) managing poor work conditions, (3) the use of relationships as a resource, (4) navigating social and cultural expectations, (5) connectedness to social and community care, and (6) systemic oppression. Implications for this study include the counseling field rethinking and reconsidering how it conceptualizes and assesses self-care, wellness, and resilience.

Keywords

self-care, wellness, vicarious trauma, and Hispanic

Document Type

Dissertation

Language

English

Degree Name

Counselor Education

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

Individual, Family, and Community Education

First Committee Member (Chair)

Kristopher M. Goodrich

Second Committee Member

Thomas A. Chavez

Third Committee Member

David T. Lardier

Fourth Committee Member

Carlos Lopez Leiva

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