How Spiritual Are Social Workers? An Exploration of Social Work Practitioners' Personal Spiritual Beliefs, Attitudes, and Practices

Abstract

Utilizing a national random sample of 225 members of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), this study examined practitioners' personal spiritual beliefs, their attitudes regarding the role of religion and spirituality in social work, and factors that might predict practitioners' use of religious and spiritual interventions. Findings suggest religion and spirituality plays an important role in respondents' personal and professional lives. A multiple regression analysis indicates that older respondents, with a stronger positive attitude regarding the role of religion and spirituality in social work practice were more likely to utilize spiritual practices or interventions.

Keywords:

• social work practitioners
• spiritual beliefs
• NASW

Acknowledgments

The author would like to acknowledge the guidance, patience and generosity of Dr. Donna Harrington. The author would also like to acknowledge the support of Dr. Jeffery Greif, Dr. James Bembry, Dr. Joshua Okundaye, and the University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Social Work. The author also wishes to express gratitude to Dr. Michael Sheridan for her assistance and generosity.