Emotional Health and Wellness of Bishops and Bishop Spouses
The Bishop Spouse Project is a multi-method study of role and career transitions, role adaptation/innovation, and wellness in Episcopal bishops and their spouses. Funded by CREDO Institute and the College for Bishops, the research is being conducted at the University of Cincinnati by a Ph.D. student along with her faculty adviser.
Research directed specifically toward bishop spouses has not been conducted since 1994. Much has changed in the broader world sense, and there has been a significant change in the composition of the bishops in the intervening 13 years. The purpose of this research is both to update our understanding of the spouse role within the Church, as well as to contribute to academic understanding of role and career transition, role adaptation/innovation and wellness issues.
Toward these ends, our research questions are:
- What was the impact of the election to bishop on the work, family, community, and spiritual life of the spouse?
- How has the spouse tried to shape or innovate the role? What duties and responsibilities have he or she assumed? What strategies have been used?
- What are the major influences on how the spouse shapes(d) the role? What sources and resources are drawn on to shape or innovate the role?
- What is the fit between the role (as adapted) and expectations within the diocese? How are differences managed?
- What aspects of the role help or hinder the spouse’s overall career and career transitions?
Progress: Results of this survey will be made available.