Effects of social work practice on practitioners’ spirituality

ABSTRACT

Increased attention to the intersection between spirituality/religion and social work has led to improved understanding of the importance of these influences in the lives of social workers and the people they serve. The effects of social work practice on practitioner spirituality, however, have not been adequately examined. A sample of social workers were surveyed to explore how their social work practice has influenced their spirituality. Three means of influence were found: practice can serve as a source of spirituality of new spiritual knowledge and growth; practice can support existing, fixed spiritual beliefs and values; and denial of influence of practice on spirituality. The findings suggest needed changes in organizational practice as well as social work education.

KEYWORDS:

• Spirituality
• religion
• social work practice
• applied spirituality

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.