EXPLORING PSYCHOSOCIAL DYNAMICS BETWEEN SPIRITUAL HEALERS & THEIR FOLLOWERS: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY

Abstract

The current study aimed to explore lived experiences of spiritual healers and their followers, within healer–follower relationships. Spiritual healing practices have long been significant component of the societies, providing individuals with guidance, emotional support, hope & perceived solutions to personal, health, and social challenges. The relationship amid spiritual healers and their followers is often characterized by trust, belief, authority, and shared spiritual experiences, making it important area of investigation in psychology, sociology & religious studies. Qualitative phenomenological research design was used. The interpretative phenomenological analysis was employed for data analysis. Findings revealed that spiritual authority was established over perceived divine sanction, ritual mastery, personal charisma, and community recognition. The spiritual healing provided the emotional reassurance, meaning, power asymmetries, economic exchanges and emotional dependency were also evident, increasing vulnerability to exploitation. The research offers insights for scholars, health professionals, sociologists, and policymakers interested in the intersection of spirituality, psychology, and community life. The study highlights spiritual healing as both culturally embedded coping mechanism & relational system shaped by faith and power.