A Field Guide to Sanctuary: Women’s Experiences of Personal Sanctuary Contextualised Within Chronic Health Conditions

Abstract

This analytic autoethnography draws on a passage from Celtic philosopher John O’Donohue to consider women’s experience of personal sanctuary within the context of chronic health conditions. Guided by the question: ‘what is your experience of sanctuary and how does that relate to your experience of your chronic health condition’ and informed heavily by social work theory and practice, this dissertation engages a range of research methodologies and methods, including Critical Reflection on Practice and Response Art (from art therapy) in conjunction with participant interviews. Through the constant comparative method, the data revealed that within this context, sanctuary comprises elements (spirituality, nature, creativity, and purposeful occupation), as well as qualities (transgressiveness, nourishingness, and fluidity). This research not only revealed the structure of sanctuary, it assisted the author to understand sanctuary as her personal ministry and fundamental to her social work practice, as well as clarifying the spiritual practices leading to her experience of sanctuary. This dissertation concludes with many plans for future study, including the possibility of this type of sanctuary as a social work practice framework.