Integrating religion and belief in social work practice: an exploratory study. Issue 1 (2nd January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pentaris, Panagiotis
• Is Part Of: Journal of ethnic & cultural diversity in social work. Volume 32:Issue 1(2023)
• Page Start: 33
• Page End: 45
• Publication Date: 2023-01-02
• Subjects: Social work -- religion -- nonreligion -- belief -- spirituality -- practice; Social work with minorities -- Periodicals; Social work with minorities -- United States -- Periodicals; Social Work -- Periodicals; Minority Groups -- Periodicals; 362.84
• DOI: 10.1080/15313204.2020.1855493
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1531-3204

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This exploratory study examines how social work practitioners in England integrate service users' religion, belief and spiritual identities. The study involved 34 semi-structured interviews with Qualified Social Workers and took a qualitative investigational perspective. By means of thematic analysis, the study suggests that practitioners employ either avoidant or utilitarian approaches, which may indeed be a coping strategy before the vast religious plurality in practice. The study also highlights when professionals perceive religion, belief and spirituality important. Those times are a) initial assessments, b) conditional intervention, c) referrals and d) response to this subject when safeguarding and child protection issues arise.