What does religion and spirituality mean to a racially diverse group of social work practitioners?. Issue 3 (2nd July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Larsen, Kelli M.; Rinkel, Michaela
• Is Part Of: Journal of religion & spirituality in social work. Volume 35:Issue 3(2016)
• Page Start: 200
• Page End: 221
• Publication Date: 2016-07-02
• Subjects: racial diversity -- religion -- social worker -- spirituality; Church and social problems -- United States -- Periodicals; Church and social problems -- Catholic Church -- Periodicals; Christian sociology -- Periodicals; 261.805
• DOI: 10.1080/15426432.2016.1185990
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1542-6432

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In order to develop understanding of the meaning of religion and spirituality to social workers, a survey was conducted of a diverse sample of 2, 100 practitioners obtained through racial stratification of membership in the National Association of Social Workers. Findings indicate that while a majority of social work practitioners (70.4%–97.9%), regardless of racial group, has a belief in God or some other higher power, their definition of religion and spirituality was complex and individualistic. Religion/spirituality provide significant personal context to participants. This pervasiveness has important implications for social work educators and challenges current practice of separating worker and client beliefs.