KJCKorea
Journal Central

The purpose of this study is to conduct an in-depth analysis of the nature of social inferiority, which is intensifying within the competitive structures of modern society, and to propose Christian counseling responses. To this end, this paper first analyzes anxiety and narcissism as the primary psychological mechanisms that induce and sustain social inferiority. In modern individuals, anxiety combines with excessive narcissistic desires to meet external standards and social expectations, thereby fixating feelings of inferiority. Furthermore, social inferiority possesses a dynamic quality, being constantly reconstructed throughout an individual's life cycle and within their social networks. As a psychological alternative to social inferiority, this study focuses on the perspective of self-compassion, which involves ceasing harsh self-criticism and embracing oneself with warmth. While self-compassion serves as an effective tool for alleviating psychological distress, it has limitations in fully addressing fundamental ontological alienation and relational deficiencies. Consequently, this study introduces McLemore’s "Living Human Web" perspective to reinterpret social inferiority beyond a simple personal psychological issue, placing it within the organic network of relationships with the community and God. Through the narratives of Joseph and Jephthah, the study demonstrates that the dynamics of inferiority can be overcome only when broken relationships are restored within the Gospel and when one discovers their absolute value in God. In conclusion, Christian counseling should assist clients in establishing a new identity within the relational web of the Creator.

This study aimed to examine the mediating effect of conflict coping styles on the relationship between family-of-origin relational patterns and marital stability among married Christian women, as well as the moderated mediating effect of spiritual maturity. The participants were 330 married Christian women, and the data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 and the PROCESS macro 4.2. The results indicated that family-of-origin relational patterns did not have a direct significant effect on marital stability; however, when conflict coping styles were included as a mediator, a significant full mediating effect was found. Spiritual maturity significantly moderated the relationships between family-of-origin relational patterns and most subfactors of conflict coping styles, except for avoidance. Furthermore, the mediating effect of conflict coping styles on the relationship between family-of-origin relational patterns and marital stability was significantly moderated by spiritual maturity. These findings suggest that the way married Christian women cope with conflict plays a crucial role in marital stability, and that spiritual maturity can regulate rational coping as well as negative emotional and behavioral expressions in conflict situations.

The purpose of this study was to gain an in-depth understanding of the lives and faith journeys of Christian mothers raising children with developmental disabilities through narrative inquiry and to illuminate the meanings embedded in their experiences. Six Christian mothers were selected, and in-depth interviews were conducted from October 2023 to August 2024. The data were analyzed within Clandinin and Connelly’s three-dimensional narrative inquiry space-temporality, sociality, and place-and core themes were derived using the qualitative data analysis program Parangsae 2.0. The findings revealed three major narrative streams: “Acceptance of Disability and Family Stories,” “Experiences within the Faith Community,” and “The Journey of Restoration.” From these, three central themes emerged: “A Family Blooming Again upon Scattered Hearts,” “Translating Pain into Love,” and “Writing a Story Together with God.” This study shows how Christian mothers reconstruct the meaning of life and suffering through faith and offers foundational insights for building an integrated care system linking church and counseling support for families of children with developmental disabilities.