There were one or two reporters representing a few different publications at Dr. Doty's presentation (see prior post). You can read a review of her presentation as published by www.ksl.com.

I attended a presentation today at Utah Valley University of a survey conducted by Kris Doty, PhD on early return. I sent a message to Dr. Doty via e-mail for a copy of her presentation and if she is kind enough to send it to me I will provide a link for everyone to view, with her permission, of course.

However, until then here are the notes that I took with some comments at the end:

Survey Properties

• N=348 (sample size, number of persons who completed the survey)
• All respondents returned from their mission early
• Respondents are/were students at UVU, Utah, or BYU
• Data was collected April-September 2013

Demographics

• Mean age: 29
• 81% male
• 93% Caucasian
• 87% come from a 2-parent family
• 81% were born in the covenant
• 60% served lass than one year

Status Prior to Serving

• 72% wanted to serve
• 70% said they were worthy to serve
• 17% said they were NOT worthy to serve
• 85% said they were physically prepared
• 64% said they were spiritually prepared
• 60% said they were mentally prepared
• 17% said they had mental wellness concerns prior to departing, but only 66% made this concern known to authorities
• 74% said serving a mission was expected of them socially
• 50% said they loved their mission
• 37% said they could be themselves (this is an interesting figure)
• 62% said they had a strong spiritual experience during their time as a missionary

Observations

• Those who were emotionally prepared had strong spiritual experiences

Why They Came Home

• 39% Personal Choice
• 36% Mental Health
• 34% Physical Health
• 12% Unresolved Transgression
• 11% Disobedience to Mission Rules
• 38% said stress was a contributing factor to their early return

Reception at Home

• 58% said they were poorly or indifferently received by their ward
• 47% said they were poorly or indifferently received by their priesthood leaders
• 33% said they were poorly or indifferently received by their friends
• 31% said they were poorly or indifferently received by their family

Adjustments

• 73% have feelings of failure
• 65% feel uncomfortable in social settings
• 46% feel compatible with the statement "I am a RM"
• 44% feel uncomfortable talking about their mission
• 40% reported feeling pressured to return
• 33% reported their return adversely affected their dating and social life
• 37% feel connected to those who completed their missions

Predictive Factors

• Those coming home due to mental, physical, or worthiness reasons had feeling of failure
• Those that came home due to family problems had decreased feelings of failure

Coping Strategies
Respondents reported that they reverted to the following activities to cope with feelings of failure: staying active, rebellion, inactivity, escape.

• 34% experienced a period of inactivity; 33% of these never returned to activity
• 47% report they are not as active now as they were prior to their mission experience
• Respondents reported they were less likely to go inactive if they were engaged by the ward

Clinical Implications

• ERM's need to be able to tell their story in a safe environment; they need time to process their story
• ERM's should receive a full clinical assessment
• Therapists and priesthood leaders should NOT have an agenda when working ERM's
• "Missionary work is not a rite of passage in the Church... Calls are extended to... those who are worthy and able to accomplish it..." Pres. Monson

So What?

• Ward Councils should be trained to establish a welcoming and accepting ward environment
• 10 to 15 percent of all missionaries come home early, a fact stated by Dr. Doty based on a "very good source"

Future Research

• Focus group of parents
• Focus group of former mission presidents
• Test effectiveness of new youth curriculum
• Develop and test clinical interventions
• Utah vs. other geographies i.e., do ERM's in other states experience the same as those in Utah?

My Observations

• The lecture hall in the UVU library was filled to standing room only; I estimate there were about 300 people in attendance
• By a show of hands, everyone in the room knew an ERM
• 58% of the respondents said upon returning home they were met by a ward that either treated them poorly or chose to ignore them. This fact stresses the need for Ward Councils to understand their role when a young man or woman returns early; there must be a plan and a role for every member of the council. The ERM can't be ignored, certainly not shamed. From my own experience I now know what my role is: When you see this young man or woman you immediately greet them, embrace them, tell them you love them, and you welcome them home. Sidebar: My boss is not a member of the church and had only recently moved to Utah; his understanding of Mormon culture and expectations is minimal, at best. When he learned my son had come home after serving nearly three months he was impressed! "Wow, three months serving your church? That's awesome." His perspective was refreshing and welcomed.
• During the Q&A session one gentleman questioned Dr. Doty's figure that 10 to 15% of all missionaries return home early. This man identified himself as having been a mission president; he said in his mission 5% went home early and that the man sitting next to him, a stake president, is experiencing 5% as well. Dr. Doty re-emphasized that her figure came from a "very good source." In my own stake the figure is closer to 10% than it is to 5%. I have also heard from one therapist close to the issue who said the figures is 10 to 15 percent.
• During the Q&A session a young man in the back of the room expressed alarm that roughly 10% of a group of 80,000 are returning home earlier than expected, and that 73% of those would have feelings of failure. He was alarmed that the Church would not have a safety net in place for them. He stated the obvious. Every bishop and stake president has access to a leadership manual which succinctly instructs them as to how the church is to be administered. If there is a section in that book that provides a process on how to handle ERM's most bishops and stake presidents are unaware. I am quite confident that the Church has NOT provided ward and stake priesthood leaders with counsel on this issue, which explains the wide and varied experiences we hear from ERM parents. Regardless, the vast majority of our priesthood and ward leaders are outstanding men and women who have the ability and the responsibility to act as Christ would have them act: with charity. Think of Moroni chapter 7 wherein charity is defined. I don't believe any of us have to wait for direction from Salt Lake City to act; we can all ask our bishops for ten minutes in front of the Ward Council and instruct them. Once educated each of them can act to develop an environment that embraces and strengthens an ERM. I'm sorry to say that the education is necessary because we are human. Prior to my own experience as the parent of ERM, I would be uncertain as to what to do were a young man or woman came home. And not knowing how to act I would not act, I would be indifferent. A little training and education would go very far.
• Only 37% of those surveyed reported they felt they could be themselves while a missionary. Turn it the other way: 63% said they could not be themselves as a missionary. This is alarming! The whole point of one being sent to one place and another being sent to another place is that one missionary is needed hear for their own special reasons. I believe that missionaries are assigned to specific missions through inspiration. Elder Jones is needed in the Canada Toronto Mission because only he, with his dry sense of humor and experience with fly fishing, will be able to connect with Mr. Brown. God gave each of us a unique personality and spiritual gifts so that we could bless the lives of others. We shouldn't expect every elder and sister to morph into clones within the Army of God. The missionary white handbook does not dictate personality, does it? It dictates behavior, as in schedule and association (up at 6:30 am and don't be alone with a member of the opposite sex). Somehow we need to let our young men and women know that they must be themselves, they must be real, they must be genuine. Where are they being taught to conform to a certain behavior?

Again, should Dr. Doty send me the presentation I'll be sure to post it for all to see. I can't say that I was shocked by any of the statistics. Regardless, the meeting was awesome! Imagine a room full of people who wanted to talk about a topic that most LDS people want to sweep under the rug. I found it refreshing and I appreciate Dr. Doty's efforts.

Every other week or so we receive a message from yet another mom or dad who just learned their son or daughter is coming home much earlier than expected. It breaks my heart and I wish them only the very best. Sharing our feelings is a very good thing. Thank you for visiting our blog; feel free to leave a message and share your own feelings.