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This study produced a consensus definition of self-love, counseling uses, and outcomes. Self-love is a concept written about but minimally researched. Research investigating a definition of self-love includes the dissertations of Patrick (1982), Freedman (1995), Irvani (2007), and Samiei (2015). These authors define self-love based on comprehensive reviews of research and psychology literature, philosophical underpinnings, theoretical frameworks of Erich Fromm and Carl Rogers, and a panel consultation of psychologists. This study sought to establish a valid research definition of self-love through the use of the Delphi research method. Fully licensed counselors, social workers, marriage and family therapists, and a psychiatrist comprised the initial 25-member Delphi expert panel. The consensus definition of self-love was constructed largely with components of self-care, self-worth, self-acceptance, and unconditional positive self-regard. A distinct panel outcome, was the consensus that self-love is both an individual and dual process, revising previous literature suggesting the dual process model only. The panel produced near perfect consensus on two definitions of self-care that were extremely important to the definition of self-love: a practice of self-compassion and self-empathy, and the act of nurturing the whole self. Three research questions were utilized to produce an initial definition of self-love which then went through the multiple iteration process to reach the consensus definition for the study. The panel agreed on 20 ways a definition of self-love can be used in counseling in addition to 23 positive outcomes that might be associated with clients who receive counseling focusing on self-love.
Advisor: | Lane, David |
Commitee: | Manyam, Suneetha, Smith, Paul |
School: | Mercer University |
Department: | College of Professional Advancement |
School Location: | United States -- Georgia |
Source: | DAI-A 82/5(E), Dissertation Abstracts International |
Source Type: | DISSERTATION |
Subjects: | Counseling Psychology, Personality psychology, Mental health, Social work |
Keywords: | Consensus definition, Self-love, Counseling uses, Marriage counseling, Self-worth, Self-acceptance, Family therapists, Whole self |
Publication Number: | 28154711 |
ISBN: | 9798691290961 |