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ETD Abstract Container

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How Social Work Practitioners Understand and Utilize Spirituality in the Practice Context

Barker, Stacey L.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1207085353

Abstract Details

2008, Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, Social Welfare.
Spirituality has become a significant topic of interest in social work over the past two decades. In fact, the National Association of Social Workers' (NASW) (1999) focus on cultural competence in its Code of Ethics includes spiritual diversity. Accreditation standards established by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) (2001) require that social work educational programs include spiritual issues in their frameworks for understanding human diversity and populations-at-risk. As the literature suggests, studies on the topic of social work and spirituality include both quantitative and qualitative methodologies designed to explore attitudes towards the inclusion of spirituality in social work and definitions of spirituality. Samples have included social work practitioners, social work educators, and social work students. In this grounded theory research study, I address how social workers define spirituality, how they understand the fit between spirituality and social work practice in the greater social context, and how they use spirituality both personally and professionally. Respondents understand spirituality as being individually defined, having several characteristics and many dimensions that address meaning and purpose in life. Practitioners feel that spirituality and social work generally fit well together, but acknowledge several challenges to this integration process. These social workers use spirituality and its related concepts in the practice context in a variety of ways, despite a lack of specific training in how to do so. Use of spirituality in direct work with clients is client-driven. For many practitioners, the practice of social work itself is viewed as a spiritual experience. I offer implications for social work research, education, and practice.
Jerry Floersch (Committee Chair)
Kathleen Farkas (Committee Member)
Wallace Gingerich (Committee Member)
Stephen Post (Committee Member)
184 p.
Social Work
spirituality; social work practice

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Barker, S. L. (2008). How Social Work Practitioners Understand and Utilize Spirituality in the Practice Context [Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1207085353

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Barker, Stacey. How Social Work Practitioners Understand and Utilize Spirituality in the Practice Context. 2008. Case Western Reserve University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1207085353.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Barker, Stacey. "How Social Work Practitioners Understand and Utilize Spirituality in the Practice Context." Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University, 2008. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1207085353

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

case1207085353
1,459
© 2008, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies and OhioLINK.