Visser, Bridget (2015) Long Walks to Wellness: Exploring the Beneficial Value of Pilgrimages for Australians on the Bibbulmun Track. Honours thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
Globally, the phenomenon of pilgrimage is increasing. These journeys are contended to be beneficial to pilgrims’ well-being. However, relatively little is known about individuals’ experiences during long-distance walking pilgrimages from a psychological perspective, and insufficient evidence exists to hypothesise on the psychological effects of such pilgrimages. The purpose of this Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) study was to explore the experience of Australian pilgrims on the Bibbulmun Track and to gain an understanding of the benefits of such long-distance walking pilgrimages. Three participants were interviewed about the journeys they had undertaken. Interview transcripts were analysed and coded in congruence with IPA protocol. Four themes were identified: process of pilgrimage, simplification, existential connections, and utility of walking. An analysis of the data revealed that the participants experienced the Bibbulmun as being beneficial in biopsychosocialspiritual ways. Limitations of the study were explored and implications and recommendations for future research are provided. Specifically, this study invites further psychological research into the utility of pilgrimages as possible therapeutic interventions.
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| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Honours) |
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| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Historic - Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Psychology and Counselling (1 Jan 2015 - 31 Dec 2021) |
| Supervisors: | Heather Warfield |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Science (Honours) |
| Date Deposited: | 04 Sep 2025 01:23 |
| Last Modified: | 04 Sep 2025 01:23 |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1799 Other Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 179999 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences not elsewhere classified |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5299 Other psychology > 529999 Other psychology not elsewhere classified |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/52846 |
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