Religion, spirituality, and social work : a quantitative study on the behaviors of social workers in conducting individual therapy

This study was undertaken in order to determine if and how often social workers integrate spiritual behaviors with clients in individual therapy. There have been a handful of studies on this topic, none which have been conducted in the Western area of the country. In addition, this study asked social workers about their frequency in engaging in such spiritual issues with clients, which previous studies did not examine. It was hypothesized social workers would be more likely to integrate implicit spiritual behaviors and that their agreement and practice of spiritual behaviors with clients would be similar to previous findings. After data collection, through the NASW of Colorado and convenience sample, was complete there were 126 participants. These clinicians were required to fill out two surveys: a demographic questionnaire and the Practitioner Perceived Appropriateness of Spiritual Behaviors, Practitioner Spiritual-Based Behaviors, and Frequency of Spiritual-Based Behaviors which was adapted from the Role of Religion and Spirituality in Practice survey (Sheridan, 1992). The major findings were the following. There are high percentages of both acceptance beliefs and spiritual based practice among social workers. Social workers are more likely to accept and use the less directive spiritual behaviors in practice with clients