UNDERSTANDING THE PATHWAYS OF FACTORS INFLUENCING THE USE OF SPIRITUALLY BASED INTERVENTIONS

Abstract

This investigation is a secondary analysis of a data set (N=283) drawn from a national, probability sample of clinical social workers in the United States. The original study used a cross-sectional, correlational survey design to gather information on practitioners' personal religious/spiritual beliefs and practices; professional attitudes, experiences, and behaviors; and professional education and training. Path analysis identified the specific direct and indirect relationships among 6 variables that accounted for nearly 69% of the variance in the use of spiritually based interventions with children and adolescents. The influence of personal background and attitudinal variables in the use of such interventions, coupled with the absence of education and training variables, raise concerns about practitioner decision making and ethical practice.