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Scand J Caring Sci. 2024;00:1–9.
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wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/scs
INTRODUCTION
Leaving a religious community may lead to significant
changes in a human being's life, changes that affect all
aspects of life, psychological, physical, spiritual and so-
cial. Religious disaffiliation is commonly defined as no
longer being a member or involved in the activities of an
organisation or no longer identifying with a specific re-
ligious group [1]. Individuals who have left a religious
community may need help and support from care profes-
sionals to regain health and well- being [2]. However, few
studies have been conducted on what kind of care and
support individuals who are suffering need in this con-
text. Therefore, the aim of this study was to increase the
Received: 28 September 2023
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Accepted: 23 March 2024
DOI: 10.1111/scs.13259
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Experiences of caring after religious disaffiliation:
A qualitative study based on the DEW model
MariaBjörkmark PhD, RN, University Lecturer1
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MalinAndtfolk PhD, RN,
University Lecturer1
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LindaNyholm PhD, RN, Professor1,2
This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided
the original work is properly cited.
© 2024 The Authors. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Nordic College of Caring Science.
1Department of Caring Science, Åbo
Akademi University, Vaasa, Finland
2Department of Caring and Ethics,
University of Stavanger, Stavanger,
Norway
Correspondence
Maria Björkmark, Åbo Akademi
University, Strandgatan 2, Vasa,
Finland.
Email: maria.bjorkmark@abo.fi
Funding information
Nordic College of Caring Science
Research
Abstract
Background and Aim: Leaving a religious community may occasionally lead to
suffering in a human being's life and difficult existential life issues, such as loss of
social relationships, identity and well- being. Only a few studies have been conducted
on what kind of care and support human beings who are suffering need in this con-
text. The aim of this study was to increase the understanding of what a human being
perceives as caring after religious disaffiliation.
Methods: In- depth interviews were conducted with 18 participants who had left
different religious communities in Finland. The material was analysed through a
deductive thematic analysis according to Braun and Clarke, based on the Dressing
an existential wound model by Rehnsfeldt and Arman.
Results and Conclusion: The results show that what human beings experience as
caring after religious disaffiliation is encountering a care professional who under-
stands the needs of someone in this life situation. Based on these needs, caring is
described through seven themes.
Care professionals need to understand the impact religious disaffiliation may have
on clients' lives and respond to their needs. Understanding the suffering of a human
being calls for a care professional's holistic view and caring for the whole human
being, including spiritual dimensions. This new knowledge can be used by care pro-
fessionals to develop caring for clients after religious disaffiliation.
KEYWORDS
caring, experiences, hermeneutics, qualitative research, religious disaffiliation, thematic analysis
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CARING AFTER RELIGIOUS DISAFFILIATION
understanding of what a human being perceives as caring
after religious disaffiliation.
Previous research shows that individuals who have dis-
affiliated from a religious community may experience the
loss of social relationships [3, 4] and suffering on an exis-
tential level [5], which may lead to decreased health and
well- being [6, 7]. According to Rosen [8], involvement in
a controlling religious group and disaffiliation from that
group can be traumatising and can lead to a form of di-
saster in an individual's life. Studies indicate that individ-
uals who have left a religious community have difficulties
finding help, support and understanding for their predic-
ament [9–13]. Thus, research reveals that individuals in
this life situation have needs that are not met within social
and health care. Religious disaffiliation has hardly been
studied from a nursing and caring science perspective and
is an unexplored area of research.
This study is based on caring science and Eriksson's
theory of caritative caring [14, 15], which recognises the
human being as an integrated entity of body, soul and
spirit, and where health is defined as the human being's
striving for well- being, balance and harmony in life.
According to Eriksson [15], the needs of a human being
arise from experiences of being in a state of vulnerability,
discomfort or suffering. Needs are not simply physical in
nature, but also include emotional, spiritual and existen-
tial dimensions. When it comes to the concept spiritual-
ity, there is a lack of consensus concerning its meaning
and there is an ongoing discussion in nursing regarding
the relationship between spirituality and religion [16].
Spirituality is seen in this study as dimensions in a human
being's life that relate to existence, meaning and purpose
in life. Spirituality is a broader term that includes existen-
tial questions as well as religious considerations. Caring
means meeting the needs of the human being [17] as well
as alleviating human suffering and supporting health and
well- being through a caring relationship [18]. Caring is
healing and sharing, and promotes the health of human
beings, a sense of wholeness, integration, growth and
inner freedom [19]. When individuals experience being
broken as a human being after leaving a religious commu-
nity, they need to encounter understanding and caring to
be able to regain wholeness and health [2].
Rehnsfeldt and Arman [20–22] have developed the
Dressing an existential wound (DEW) model, based on
the theory of caritative caring, which describes existen-
tial care for people who have experienced disasters. This
model was chosen as a theoretical model for this study,
as life after religious disaffiliation can be described by
ex- members as a significant crisis in life which leads to
suffering of life and suffering also on an existential level
[3, 5]. At a universal level, suffering is described in sim-
ilar ways in both contexts, as a tragedy or an existential
crisis that encompasses the whole of life. After a disaster,
human beings are confronted with many existential ques-
tions about life values, priorities, relationships with others
and the importance of health, suffering, love and death
[20]. As stated by Rehnsfeldt and Arman [20], existential
care is about caring for a client who experiences suffering
and who confronts these existential questions.
According to the DEW model [21, 22], human beings
affected by crises or disaster often show universal needs,
which are seen in Figure1. Any support or caring for a
fellow human being should be based on an understanding
of what the suffering means to human beings and what
they may need under the current circumstances [20]. Also
in this context, we need to understand what human beings
need in order to understand what is caring for them.
BACKGROUND
Individuals who are born into a religious community, or
are members for a long time, incorporate the community's
worldview into their own [6], and the religion may be-
come deeply internalised and constitute their entire lives
[10]. Reasons why individuals leave their religious com-
munity include intellectual disagreements with the reli-
gion [23], lifestyle restrictions of the community [24] as
well as generational differences in culture and habits [25].
Consequences of leaving a religious community may
be loss of social relationships, family and friends [4, 5],
loss of identity, worldview and well- being [4]. Experiences
of fear, guilt, shame, outsidership and loneliness are
common [6, 25], as well as feelings of being ‘broken as a
human being’ and deep suffering [3, 5]. The experience
of being broken is mainly due to health problems, in par-
ticular mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression,
psycho- somatic symptoms, mental illness [3, 12] as well
FIGURE Universal needs of a human being affected by
crises, based on the DEW model [22].
Outreach and
offer
Closeness
Natural
meeng
CommunionNarrave
Distracons
and rest
Connuity
and me
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BJÖRKMARK etal.
as traumatisation and post- traumatic stress disorder [8,
13, 26]. However, all who leave a religious community do
not experience difficulties. For some, the life transition
can be quite smooth and uncomplicated. Disaffiliation
can also be a liberating experience that leads to feelings of
joy, relief and empowerment [3] along with independence
[27] and personal growth [26]. The focus in this study is
on individuals who have experienced suffering and health
problems after leaving a religious community.
Only a few studies have explored the support an indi-
vidual needs after leaving a religious group, and mostly
from a psychological and post- cult perspective [28, 29]. A
new study published by Hadding etal. [11] demonstrates
that former cult members perceive that care providers ig-
nore their experiences and lack knowledge of how a cult
impacts on the individual. According to their study, which
was conducted in Sweden, the care needs to be person-
and patient- centred and clients need to meet care profes-
sionals who are non- judgmental, who validate the clients'
experiences and are aware of their psycho- social situation
[11]. Järvå [9, 30] points out that individuals need confir-
mation of what they have experienced and help in dealing
with emotions such as fear, shame and guilt. As indicated
by Arlebrink [31], care professionals often experience that
existential and spiritual questions are difficult to attend to
and discuss with their clients. Nevertheless, these ques-
tions need to be addressed, as they may be essential for
the client.
Clients who suffer after religious disaffiliation may
seek help from care professionals. During this difficult
life transition, they need to be met with understanding
and caring. A care professional in this article means any
health or social care professional who provides care ser-
vices for clients [32]. Clients in this context may receive
care from within primary and specialised health care as
well from therapists in private practice. In Finland and all
other Nordic countries, there is a lack of guidelines and
recommendations for supporting individuals suffering
from health issues related to religious disaffiliation [2].
Research is needed to increase the understanding of what
clients need. The aim of the study was to increase the un-
derstanding of what a human being perceives as caring
after religious disaffiliation.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
A hermeneutic methodological approach was chosen for
this qualitative study, as hermeneutics seeks to grasp exis-
tential dimensions through a process of interpretation and
understanding [33]. Recruitment of participants was done
with individuals who had left a religious community,
mainly through the organisation Support for Victims of
Religions [34]. This is a national third sector organisation
in Finland, whose goal is to support and give peer sup-
port to people who have experienced difficulties within
religious communities. Recruitment was done through
posting research requests on their webpages and in closed
Facebook peer support groups, but also through snowball
sampling.
Inclusion criteria involved participants who had left
what they themselves perceived as being high- cost reli-
gious groups, as well as larger, well- established, religious
communities in Finland. High- cost religious groups are
characterised as demanding, theologically and culturally
exclusive religious groups, with a strong group dimension
[35]. Exclusion criteria included former members of new
or alternative religious movements as well as religious
groups that do not have long traditions in Finland, such as
Islam and Buddhism. These criteria were chosen accord-
ing to the researchers' knowledge and competence as well
as for the results to be the most relevant for health care
professionals.
The data collection was conducted through in- depth
interviews with 18 participants, 13 women and five men,
ranging in ages from 26 to 65. Of these, 14 participants
had been members of the religious community since
birth, while four had affiliated as adults. The participants'
disaffiliation had been voluntary (14 participants) or in-
voluntary (4 participants) and had occurred during a wide
time span, from 1 to 35 years ago. An interview guide was
created in advance, with questions developed based on
earlier research and in accordance with the study's aim.
The interview guide consisted of three themes, covering
the participants' background, experiences of life after dis-
affiliation and what kind of help and support they had
needed. The in- depth interviews, which were conducted
by the first author, lasted 1–2 h with each participant and
were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Most of the in-
terviews [16] were conducted face- to- face, while two were
conducted online at the participant's request. The mate-
rial is extensive and consists of 328 pages transcribed text
(Times New Roman, 12 p, single space). Anonymisation
was done through numbering the interviews, and only the
first author knows the identity of the participants.
Thematic analysis (TA) according to Braun and Clarke
[36] was chosen as analysis method. TA requires clarity
in the perspective of research and is used within the her-
meneutical approach. TA is ‘a method for developing,
analysing, and interpreting patterns across a qualitative
dataset, which involves systematic processes of data cod-
ing to develop themes’ [37]. The analysis was carried out
in close collaboration between all the authors. A deduc-
tive, theory- driven analysis was conducted, and the DEW
model [20] was used to develop the interpretation of the
data. The phases of the TA process were followed, and
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CARING AFTER RELIGIOUS DISAFFILIATION
first familiarisation with the data were done by reading
through the texts several times. Secondly, initial codes
were generated, where parts of the texts relevant to the
research question were named with short phrases. The
codes were then compared and those that had something
in common with the initial themes (the universal needs
of the DEW model) were used to form new themes. These
themes were named in accordance with the initial themes
and what they seemed to capture about caring. The TA re-
sulted in seven themes, which illustrate the participants'
experiences of caring.
ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Ethical aspects become especially important as this study
is part of what can be considered ‘sensitive research’ with
vulnerable participants [38]. An ethical approval was re-
ceived from the University Ethical Board on 30 May 2018.
The study has been carried out in accordance with the eth-
ical principles of research integrity [39] and research eth-
ics in Finland [40]. It has been crucial through the entire
research process to be attentive to the fact that religious
disaffiliation may be a sensitive and complex subject,
which may bring difficult memories and emotions to the
surface, so it was important not to harm the participants
or cause unnecessary difficulties. Special attention was
paid to protecting the informants' integrity and anonym-
ity throughout the entire study.
RESULTS
The results of the deductive analysis are presented accord-
ing to the universal needs in the DEW model. Experiences
of what is caring after religious disaffiliation are described
through seven themes, which are illustrated in Figure2.
The themes are confirmed by quotes from the participants
(with participant number in parentheses).
Offers of help confirm
acceptance and value
The participants described that they had encountered suf-
fering after they left a religious community, such as experi-
ences of fear, guilt, sorrow and loss of social relationships.
These experiences impacted their health and well- being,
and, thus, they had sought help and support from care pro-
fessionals. Their experiences of caring include having a fel-
low human being who offers help, is available and listens
to what they have been through. A care professional who
offers help and shows openness to the client's needs, con-
firms the client's feelings of acceptance and value. Clients
in this life situation need to feel believed, that is, that the
care professional believes their past experiences, no matter
how unbelievable they sound. They need to be taken seri-
ously and receive confirmation of the difficult experiences
they have endured. The participants related how their suf-
fering had been multiplied by care professionals who did
FIGURE Experiences of caring
after religious disaffiliation.
Offers of help
confirm acceptance
and value
Closeness that
alleviates chaos
Encounters that
confirm life
Communion where
pain and suffering
can be shared
Conversaons
towards healing
Distracons that give
rest from suffering
Connuity and me
to adjust to a new life
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BJÖRKMARK etal.
not believe or who minimised their experiences. On the
contrary, being taken seriously and receiving confirmation
leads to feelings of being accepted and valued.
One of the participants expressed:
She was the first person who listened to me
and didn't try to hush me up. She understood
the seriousness of it all…
(4)
Closeness that alleviates chaos
The chaos and suffering the participants had experi-
enced and were still experiencing, could be alleviated
through feeling safety and closeness in the care rela-
tionship. A sense of safety in the care relationship gives
clients an opportunity to remember and process also
very difficult issues from their past. Some participants
had encountered traumatic experiences, such as physi-
cal, emotional or sexual abuse, and needed to talk about
these. They described extreme anxiety and anguish
when beginning to deal with these memories, but how
necessary this process was. They expressed how essen-
tial it was for them to have a place where they could ‘spit
out’ all their difficult experiences.
According to the participants, closeness in the care re-
lationship can alleviate the chaos they were experiencing
after religious disaffiliation. They spoke about having a
place where they could ‘let out steam’ and vent difficult
emotions, such as sorrow and anger. Within the religious
community many had learned to suppress certain emo-
tions as these were not allowed. They needed to confront
their own emotions and learn to release also negative
ones, such as disappointment and aggression. They also
talked about a need to face and process their own fears.
For clients, caring is to be able to vent and process all
kinds of fears and emotions in a relationship with a care
professional where they are able to feel close and safe.
The relationship with her was really good…
and she was close enough, she understood
the religious field. We could discuss very
well… all in all it was a very good relationship
(6)
Encounters that confirm life
The participants conveyed that it was important for
them to encounter a care professional who understood
and could confirm what they were going through. For
clients to be confirmed in their current life situation,
the care professional needs to understand the possible
negative effects of religion and religious affiliation, as
well as the needs of someone who has disaffiliated. Such
understanding alone from care professionals can greatly
benefit the client.
For clients, caring means encountering a care profes-
sional with whom they can discuss their suffering, and
who does not shy away from, but instead can bear and
dare to meet the pain. Meetings with a care professional,
in a relationship based on understanding, also results in
the clients' increased self- understanding. With added
knowledge of and insight into religious disaffiliation and
their own situation, clients can, for instance, become free
from guilt and self- accusations. With an increased self-
understanding, they can be anchored in reality and con-
firmed in the life they are living.
Care professionals must understand how total
it can be (to leave the religious community)
(11)
Communion where pain and suffering can
be shared
The participants conveyed how communion with others
helped them through the difficult times after disaffilia-
tion, a combination of both peer support and professional
help was what they mostly needed. To share one's experi-
ences with others is essential when living through a cri-
sis, so also in this context. Communion with others helps
develop insight into what one is going through and what
is causing the suffering. For clients, caring after religious
disaffiliation is to experience communion with a care pro-
fessional, a communion where the pain and suffering can
be shared.
The participants expressed that support from some-
one with similar experiences, peer support, was the most
beneficial support of all. Those who have not experienced
religious communities or disaffiliation may have a diffi-
cult time understanding what an individual who has dis-
affiliated is going through. To contact others in this life
situation requires courage, but it gave the participants
a great amount of help and support. To be able to share
experiences, also the pain, with others who have similar
experiences and who understand the suffering, develops a
deep sense of communion.
The best help, however, has been from other
people who have experienced the same…
(11)
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CARING AFTER RELIGIOUS DISAFFILIATION
Conversations towards healing
The participants communicated that they had a notable
need to talk, and that it was a great relief to be able to
talk to an ‘outsider’ after leaving the religious community.
They expressed how conversations between two equals
helped them structure for themselves what they had been
through and helped them on their path towards healing.
Both the client and the care professional need to have the
courage to discuss and process all kinds of aspects of the
disaffiliation. The participants explained that when the
care professional put into words what they had experi-
enced, they began to believe that their own experiences
are valid and true.
What was most important to me was that I
could construct for myself a logical story…. Of
what had been in my life, what I had encoun-
tered, what had happened…
(8)
For a client under these circumstances, caring means that
the care professional has the courage to discuss religious
questions. The care professional needs to know how to ask
the right questions that open up for discussion. Healing can
begin in a caring relationship where one is able to converse
about all kinds of different issues. After leaving a religious
community, one needs to put into words what one has ex-
perienced and talk about issues ‘with their proper names’.
Some participants specified that religious communities have
their own language which can be difficult for others to un-
derstand. Still, it is important that clients feel that the care
professional has at least some understanding of the context
of religious communities so that they can ‘speak the same
language’.
Our work (occupational) psychologist, she
was a great help to me, she dared talk about
these things related to religion….and we could
start dealing with them…
(1)
Distractions that give rest from suffering
The participants recounted how other aspects of life had
supported them towards health and that, in order to have
some rest from suffering, distractions are needed. Social
relationships were important, such as a partner, family
and friends, in case they still were in contact with them.
Many spoke about how they needed to take care of them-
selves, through exercise and spending time in nature. They
also reported how living a ‘normal life’ was essential, after
years of living a relatively isolated life as a member of the
religious community. They needed to find new hobbies
and new ways of using their time that was released when
they no longer used all their time in the community. Some
had begun a new education or joined new non- religious
groups related to culture, music and dance. They needed
to build a new kind of life for themselves where they could
enjoy things that previously had been forbidden.
I remember the feelings of being free… I was
free to listen to whatever I wanted… When I
didn't have the “shackles” anymore…. No one
that dictated what I could listen to or think….
It was amazing… I could do or think whatever
I wanted to, myself…
(2)
Continuity and time to adjust to a new life
The participants detailed how leaving a religious commu-
nity is a long process that takes time. For a client, caring
entails continuity and time in the care relationship, so that
one can adjust to a new kind of life. With time clients are
able to put some distance between their present life and
their past experiences. Some participants related how they
needed and benefitted from long- term, intensive psycho-
therapy to process their past experiences. Some explained
how the first year of therapy had been a full- time job and
how it helped them manage life better. Many spoke about
how adjusting to a new life after disaffiliation would be a
life- long process.
One participant described it as follows:
When the mind control has lasted for de-
cades… you cannot shake that off in a few
years…
(6)
DISCUSSION
The results of this study show that what human beings
experience as caring after religious disaffiliation is en-
countering a care professional who understands the needs
of someone in this life situation. Clients who have left a
religious community may be suffering and confronting
several existential life issues, and the needs that they have
can be met through different expressions of caring.
For human beings who have left a religious commu-
nity caring means encountering someone who offers
help and confirms their feelings with acceptance and as
valuable. Many experience that it is difficult to find the
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BJÖRKMARK etal.
right kind of help and support from care professionals
[10, 11, 13]. Therefore, what is caring is to find someone
who listens, is available and takes one's experiences seri-
ously. The suffering that a human being is experiencing
may lead to feelings of chaos in life in regard to social
relationships, identity and life management. Caring is
about experiencing closeness in the care relationship, a
closeness that alleviates and gives support through the
chaos.
Caring after religious disaffiliation is also to encounter
understanding. As Hadding etal. [11] point out, under-
standing and helping former members of religious com-
munities requires that care professionals have knowledge
about these communities and the possible impacts of
disaffiliation. Likewise, Rosen [8] emphasises that care
professionals need to understand the influence a social
group can have on an individual and the severity of possi-
ble trauma. Understanding and knowledge are also high-
lighted in this study. According to Arman and Rehnsfeldt
[21], every suffering human being needs confirmation and
compassion from others to get through the darkest period
and to move on from a disaster to a new life. The findings
of this study confirm this need and shows that caring can
support the client who needs to build a new form of life
after religious disaffiliation.
According to Eriksson [14, 41], communion is import-
ant for health and well- being and human beings long to be
unique, but at the same time find meaning in life through
communion. Additionally, human beings in this context
need communion with others, a communion that allevi-
ates and develops. Human beings who have encountered
a disaster need to meet with others who show love and
compassion, both through professional and natural caring
[22]. Also, after leaving a religious community one ben-
efits from communion with both care professionals and
other people. For instance, peer support from others with
similar experiences is described as an essential part of
recovery.
Many similarities exist between the views of the partic-
ipants in this study and care professionals who have cared
for clients after religious disaffiliation [42]. Both groups
describe that clients who have left a religious community
need to encounter someone who listens to and takes seri-
ously the clients' experiences. An understanding of this
context is of utmost importance for clients, and through
confirmation of the effects that disaffiliation has had on
their lives their suffering can be alleviated.
Yet, there are also differences between what these
groups describe as caring after religious disaffiliation. The
participants in this study described how care professionals
need to understand how deeply the disaffiliation has af-
fected them. The best understanding comes from the care
professional having had similar experiences, as they are
able to ‘speak the same language’. Care professionals with-
out similar experiences can compensate for this lack by a
genuine interest in the client's situation and a desire to
learn more. Through a caring relationship, clients are able
to process the pain of their past, leave it behind and ‘get
back on their feet’. These aspects were not brought forth
by care professionals who had cared for clients who had
left a religious community [42].
The theory of caritative caring sees the human being
as an integrated entity of body, soul and spirit, and having
a holistic view of the human being as a care professional
implies seeing and caring for the whole human being, in-
cluding spiritual dimensions [14, 15]. Previous research
shows that spirituality is a frequently overlooked aspect
in nursing [43, 44], also within the context of religious dis-
affiliation [42]. The results of this study demonstrate that
clients who have left a religious community have spiritual
needs, such as being able to discuss religious and existen-
tial questions. Understanding the suffering of a human
being in this context calls for a care professional's holis-
tic view and caring for the whole human being, including
spiritual dimensions.
The practical implications of this study include that
this new knowledge can be used by care professionals to
develop caring for clients in this context. The intent with
this study was to develop caring for human beings in this
context, without distinguishing between different profes-
sions. Caring as described in this article, can be applied in
different settings, within primary and specialised health
care as well as within private and volunteer sectors. The
results show that care professionals need more knowledge
and understanding of caring after religious disaffiliation.
Therefore, further research needs to be carried out on
practical implications, such as developing training and
education for care professionals. Moreover, specific rec-
ommendations and care guidelines for caring for human
beings after religious disaffiliation need to be developed.
METHODOLOGICAL
CONSIDERATIONS
The study was conducted with a deductive approach. This
approach has been deemed appropriate, and the DEW
model functioned as a valuable guide during the analysis.
The DEW model offers important insights into the univer-
sal needs that human beings affected by a crisis or disaster
often show and describes expressions of existential care.
The purpose of this study was not to further develop the
DEW model, instead we have endeavoured to apply the
DEW model in a new context.
Existential care and spiritual care are vast research
areas. In this article the concept existential care was
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8
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CARING AFTER RELIGIOUS DISAFFILIATION
chosen, as this concept is used by the authors of the DEW
model [21]. The concept spiritual care could also have
been used to describe caring in this context, and this can
be considered a limitation in this study.
In the study, a distinction was done between different
kinds of religious communities, as all different kinds of
communities could not be included. There were clear in-
clusion and exclusion criteria for the recruitment of par-
ticipants, and inclusion criteria involved participants who
had left what they themselves perceived as being high- cost
religious groups. During the analysis process, the authors
were aware of their pre- understanding of the research
topic and attempted to manage possible biases through
mutual discussion and reflection. In order to maintain
trustworthiness and credibility [45], the analysis was car-
ried out in close collaboration between all authors, indi-
vidually and in group meetings. Authentic quotes have
been added to increase the trustworthiness of the study.
Because of the qualitative and explorative design of the
study, transferability to other groups and contexts is not
possible. Also, individuals may have other needs after re-
ligious disaffiliation that did not appear in this study.
CONCLUSION
What human beings need after religious disaffiliation is to
encounter a care professional who is able to respond to their
needs. A client in this life situation needs offers of help that
confirm acceptance and value as well as closeness that alle-
viates chaos. Through encounters that confirm life and con-
versations towards healing, the client can find communion
where suffering can be shared. Also, the client needs dis-
tractions that give rest from suffering and continuity and
time to adjust to a new life. By building on the DEW model
and benefitting from existing knowledge, this research may
contribute to the advancement of caring science. This new
knowledge can be used by care professionals to develop
practical implications of caring for clients after religious
disaffiliation. In addition, it can be used on a societal level
as well as within science, to raise awareness of this context.
AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS
All authors contributed substantially to the study's design
and analysis. MB conducted the interviews and generated
initial codes. The rest of the analysis process has been
done in cooperation between all authors and the findings
were discussed in several meetings in the research group
as a whole. All authors have taken on main responsibility
for drafting the manuscript. All authors have revised the
manuscript and have given final approval of the version to
be published.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors thank the participants for their invaluable
contribution.
FUNDING INFORMATION
Maria Björkmark has received a research grant from the
Nordic College of Caring Science Research fund, for this
study.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT
The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.
DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT
Research data are not shared.
ORCID
Maria Björkmark https://orcid.
org/0000-0001-9906-807X
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How to cite this article: Björkmark M, Andtfolk
M, Nyholm L. Experiences of caring after religious
disaffiliation: A qualitative study based on the
DEW model. Scand J Caring Sci. 2024;00:1–9.
https://doi.org/10.1111/scs.13259
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