Family Deepening: A Qualitative Inquiry into the Experience of Families Who Participate in Service Expeditions

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the familial impact of participating in a family service expedition. Grounded theory methodology was used. Five families were identified through a criteria-based snowball sampling technique. Based on the data analyses, a core category emerged that encapsulated the meaning and impact of the family service expedition. It was given the description of “family deepening.” Emerging theory indicated that experiences that were unique; shared, interactive; purposive; challenging; and required sacrifice contributed to the process of family deepening. The process encompassed and surpassed what was previously captured by the concepts of family strengths, purposive leisure, or family leisure. The deepening process appeared to positively and significantly impact many aspects of the families' lives. These families described a profound process that began, sometimes unwillingly in the early planning stages, culminated in an extended service experience that impacted themselves and others, and continued to define and influence the entire identity of the family for many years to come.