Linguistics, Compassion, and Health: CBCT & Differences in the Linguistic Characteristics of Hospital Chaplains Open Access
Jarrell, Bria (Spring 2021)
Abstract
This study examined the differences in linguistic characteristics of hospital chaplains who received cognitively based compassion training (CBCT) compared to those who did not during chaplain consults. This study also aimed to understand the associations between hospital chaplains’ linguistic behavior and patient-reported mental health. Hospital chaplains (N= 15) were previously assigned to either intervention (CBCT and CCSH) or waitlist group (standard CPE training). Participating chaplains were shadowed during hospital shifts and recorded inpatient consults (N= 122). Pre-consultation, patients completed consent and a distress thermometer. Post-consult patients completed measures of hospital anxiety and depression (HADS). Chaplain-patient consults were transcribed and analyzed using Linguistic Inquiry Word Count (LIWC). LIWC uses a dictionary to identify and categorize words in transcribed texts into pre-set categories based on psychological dimensions. We used independent t-tests to analyze differences between distress, anxiety, and depression symptoms among patients who encountered intervention chaplains compared to waitlist chaplains. Pearson’s correlation was used to analyze the associations in patient and chaplain speech within each group. Results showed that intervention chaplains showed linguistic characteristics that favored pronoun usage, specifically impersonal pronouns, and you, more than their waitlist peers, who favored anger words. Waitlist and intervention chaplain-patient speech showed about an equal amount of significant positive associations with variations in association by LIWC category. Waitlist and intervention group patients didn’t significantly differ in anxiety scores, but intervention patients reported significantly lower depressive symptoms than waitlist patients. These findings suggest that CBCT is a viable training option for hospital chaplains alongside CPE training.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW 5
Patient Wellbeing 5
Provider-Patient Communication 6
The Role of Hospital Chaplains 7
Theoretical Background 8
Cognitively Based Compassion Training (CBCT) 8
Communication Accommodation Theory 10
Person-Centered Communication 11
Research Gap and Study Aims 12
CHAPTER 3: METHODS 14
Participants 14
Study Design & Procedures 14
Data Collection 15
Data Management 16
Measures 17
Data Analysis 19
CHAPTER 4: RESULTS 20
Primary Findings 20
Secondary Findings 22
CHAPTER 5: DISCUSSION 24
Strengths and Limitations 26
REFERENCES 29
APPENDICES 39
Appendix A 39
Appendix B 39
Appendix C 40
Appendix D 41
Appendix E 42
Appendix F 43
Appendix G 44
Appendix H 45
About this Master's Thesis
| School | |
|---|---|
| Department | |
| Degree | |
| Submission | |
| Language |
|
| Research Field | |
| Keyword | |
| Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor | |
| Committee Members |
Primary PDF
| Thumbnail | Title | Date Uploaded | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Linguistics, Compassion, and Health: CBCT & Differences in the Linguistic Characteristics of Hospital Chaplains () | 2021-05-03 08:24:34 -0400 |
|
Supplemental Files
| Thumbnail | Title | Date Uploaded | Actions |
|---|