Transformative guiding and the long-distance walk

472 Pages·2015·3.13 MB·English

STEPS TOWARDS CHANGE:
Personal transformation through long-distance walking

by
Robert Edward Saunders
Bachelor of Science with Honours (Monash University)
Master of Environmental Science (Monash University)

Department of Management
Faculty of Business and Economics
Monash University

This thesis is submitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy

November 2014
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents ................................................................................................................ i
List of Figures and Tables ................................................................................................ vii
Figures........................................................................................................................... vii
Tables ............................................................................................................................ vii
Abstract .............................................................................................................................. ix
Declaration Statement........................................................................................................ xi
List of Acronyms ............................................................................................................ xiii
Acknowledgements .......................................................................................................... xv
List of Publications ......................................................................................................... xvii
Book chapters.............................................................................................................. xvii
Conference papers ....................................................................................................... xvii
Posters ....................................................................................................................... xviii
Chapter 1 Introduction and background .............................................................................. 1
1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 1
1.2 Background to the research ..................................................................................... 5
1.3 Purpose and aims of the research .......................................................................... 12
1.4 Conceptual overview of methodology ................................................................... 14
1.5 Personal perspectives influencing this research .................................................... 16
1.5.1 A formative experience on a long-distance walk ................................................. 17
1.5.2 Interpreting our heritage ...................................................................................... 19
1.6 Overview of thesis structure .................................................................................. 22
Chapter 2 Literature Review ............................................................................................... 23
2.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 23
2.2 Characterising transformative personal change ..................................................... 24
2.2.1 Variations on transformative personal change ..................................................... 26
2.2.2 Life change and transition in contemporary life .................................................. 38
2.2.3 Myth, metaphor and symbolism in transformative change .................................. 42
2.2.4 Framing the research topic: significant personal change ..................................... 45
2.3 Personal change through tourism .......................................................................... 47
2.3.1 Personal change outcomes within tourism ........................................................... 47
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2.3.2 Personally significant experiences in tourism...................................................... 51
2.3.3 Processes of personal change in tourism ............................................................. 56
2.4 The study context: Long-distance walking ............................................................ 60
2.4.1 Defining long-distance ......................................................................................... 62
2.4.2 Relevant styles of walking ................................................................................... 63
2.5 Summary and Research Goals ............................................................................... 65
Chapter 3 Research design and methodology..................................................................... 67
3.1 Rationale and theoretical perspective .................................................................... 67
3.1.1 Phenomenology and experiential research ........................................................... 69
3.1.2 Descriptive and hermeneutic forms of phenomenology ...................................... 70
3.1.3 Phenomenology in tourism studies ...................................................................... 73
3.1.4 Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) ................................................ 74
3.1.5 Research questions ............................................................................................... 76
3.2 Research design ..................................................................................................... 79
3.2.1 Overall logic and structure of the research .......................................................... 79
3.2.2 The multiple values of a multi-method approach ................................................ 80
3.2.3 Sampling strategy, data gathering and sources of evidence ................................ 82
3.2.4 Framing the research without leading participants .............................................. 86
3.2.5 Use of in-depth (semi-structured) interviews ...................................................... 87
3.2.6 Multiple data sources and interpretive perspectives ............................................ 91
3.3 Analysis and interpretation .................................................................................... 92
3.3.1 Narrative analysis................................................................................................. 93
3.3.2 Thematic analysis and beyond ............................................................................. 97
3.3.3 Interpreting the nature and extent of personal change ......................................... 99
3.4 Ensuring research quality .................................................................................... 104
3.4.1 Ethical considerations ........................................................................................ 105
3.4.2 Four principles guiding research quality............................................................ 107
Chapter 4 Outcomes of personal change .......................................................................... 115
4.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 115
4.2 Varieties of personal change ................................................................................ 116
4.2.1 Group A: Extensive significant personal change ............................................... 117
4.2.2 Group B: Limited significant personal change .................................................. 126
4.2.3 Group C: No significant personal change .......................................................... 137
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4.3 Comparing outcomes between groups ................................................................. 143
4.3.1 Perceived benefits .............................................................................................. 144
4.3.2 Perspective and attitudinal change ..................................................................... 146
4.3.3 Growth and development ................................................................................... 147
4.3.4 Specific behavioural changes ............................................................................. 148
4.4 Summary and initial discussion of findings ........................................................ 150
Chapter 5 Change-related experiences............................................................................. 153
5.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 153
5.2 Primary themes of experiential engagement ....................................................... 154
5.2.1 Engagement with the activity of walking .......................................................... 154
5.2.2 Engagement with the setting or context of a walk ............................................. 161
5.2.3 Engagement with other people........................................................................... 170
5.3 Experiential themes involving antecedent issues ................................................ 174
5.3.1 Disengagement and respite from antecedent issues ........................................... 174
5.3.2 (Re)engagement with self or antecedent personal issues ................................... 176
5.4 Summary and initial discussion of findings ........................................................ 177
Chapter 6 Processes of personal change .......................................................................... 181
6.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 181
6.2 Facilitated experience and change ....................................................................... 182
6.2.1 Assisted therapeutic change ............................................................................... 182
6.2.2 Framed experience and personal authenticity .............................................. 185
6.2.3 Choreographed experience and facilitated change ............................................ 190
6.3 Self-directed change ............................................................................................ 194
6.3.1 Growth in self-awareness and self-management ............................................... 195
6.3.2 Narrative construction and evolution ................................................................. 200
6.4 Summary and initial discussion of findings ........................................................ 207
Chapter 7 Discussion ........................................................................................................ 211
7.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 211
7.2 Intention as change-agency ................................................................................. 211
7.2.1 Intention as a change-agent: Therapeutic SPC .................................................. 213
7.2.2 Intention as a change-agent: Adaptive SPC ....................................................... 216
7.2.3 Intention as a change-agent: Induced SPC......................................................... 218
7.2.4 A framework of intention and change-agency ................................................... 221
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7.3 Links to positive psychology ............................................................................... 225
7.3.1 Positive change: The advancement of flourishing ............................................. 226
7.3.2 Positive change: Developing character strengths and virtues ............................ 229
7.3.3 Positive change: Authentic happiness ................................................................ 232
7.4 Narrative identity: change and continuity ........................................................... 239
7.4.1 Narrative identity: Performativity and self-perception ...................................... 240
7.4.2 Narrative identity: The trope of redemption ...................................................... 242
7.4.3 Narrative identity: Tropes of pilgrimage and healing ........................................ 243
7.4.4 Narrative identity: The journey-as-transformation ............................................ 245
7.5 Summary ................................................................................................................... 246
Chapter 8 Conclusion ....................................................................................................... 247
8.1 Main outcomes of the study................................................................................. 247
8.1.1 Key findings and issues arising.......................................................................... 249
8.1.2 Modes of significant personal change and transformation ................................ 256
8.2 Evaluating the research ........................................................................................ 262
8.2.1 Reflections on the research process ................................................................... 262
8.2.2 Limitations of the research................................................................................. 263
8.2.3 Further research ................................................................................................. 264
8.3 Final reflective musings....................................................................................... 267
Bibliography ....................................................................................................................... 269
Appendix 1 : Long-distance trails in this study ............................................................... 323
Australian Alps Walking Track .................................................................................. 324
Bibbulmun Track, Western Australia ......................................................................... 325
Cape to Cape Track, Western Australia ...................................................................... 326
Egmont National Park circuit, New Zealand .............................................................. 327
Federation Peak, Tasmania ......................................................................................... 328
Great Ocean Walk, Victoria ........................................................................................ 329
Great South Coast Walk, New South Wales ............................................................... 330
Kokoda Trail, Papua New Guinea .............................................................................. 331
Larapinta Trail, Northern Territory............................................................................. 332
Milford Track, New Zealand ...................................................................................... 333
Overland Track, Tasmania .......................................................................................... 334
Rakiura Track, New Zealand ...................................................................................... 335
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South Coast Track, Tasmania ..................................................................................... 336
Wilsons Promontory National Park southern circuit, Victoria ................................... 337
Appendix 2: Ethics approval .............................................................................................. 339
A2.1 Explanatory Statement ....................................................................................... 340
A2.1 Consent Forms ................................................................................................... 344
Appendix 3: General participant data ............................................................................... 347
A3.1: Phase 1 participants: Location and timing of PSEs .......................................... 347
A3.2: Phase 3 participants: Guides and operators interviewed ................................... 347
A3.3: Potential participants and why they were rejected ............................................ 348
Appendix 4: Participant profiles ........................................................................................ 349
Andrew ........................................................................................................................ 350
Barbara ........................................................................................................................ 351
Claire ........................................................................................................................... 352
Dianne ......................................................................................................................... 353
Elaine and Frank ......................................................................................................... 354
Graeme ........................................................................................................................ 355
Harry ........................................................................................................................... 356
Ivan ............................................................................................................................. 357
Jeff............................................................................................................................... 358
Keith ............................................................................................................................ 359
Linda ........................................................................................................................... 360
Margaret ...................................................................................................................... 361
Neville ......................................................................................................................... 362
Oliver .......................................................................................................................... 363
Paula ............................................................................................................................ 364
Roy .............................................................................................................................. 365
Susan ........................................................................................................................... 366
Trish ............................................................................................................................ 367
Ursula .......................................................................................................................... 368
Valerie ......................................................................................................................... 369
Wendy ......................................................................................................................... 370
Xavier .......................................................................................................................... 371
Yvonne and Zoe .......................................................................................................... 372
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Appendix 5: Interview schedules ........................................................................................ 373
A5.1 Semi-structured Interview outline: Phase 1 LDW participants ......................... 373
A5.2 Semi-structured Interview outline: Phase 3 Guides ........................................... 375
Appendix 6: Changes in life domains ................................................................................. 377
A6.1. Group A: Extensive, enduring and profound personal change ......................... 377
A6.2. Group B: Limited enduring and profound personal change ............................. 381
A6.3. Group C: No enduring or profound personal change ........................................ 389
Appendix 7: Emergent themes ............................................................................................ 393
A7.1 Before the walk .................................................................................................. 394
A7.2 During the walk .................................................................................................. 398
A7.3 At the end of the walk or after the walk ............................................................. 406
Appendix 8: Identifying themes which differentiate between Groups ................................ 415
A8.1 Before the walk .................................................................................................. 416
A8.2 During the walk .................................................................................................. 423
A8.3 At the end of the walk or after the walk ............................................................. 436
Appendix 9: Narrative structure example .......................................................................... 449
A9.1 Structural analysis of Andrew’s Brigade Hill narrative ................................... 449

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