Bridging Disciplinary Boundaries (January 11 - 14, 2007)

PURPOSE: With increased emphasis on interdisciplinary team work and growth in the faith-based movement in human services, it is important to understand the relationships between social workers and spiritual helpers such as chaplains (Moore, 2003; Dudley & Helfgott, 1990; Bronstein, 2003). This study examined the perceptions of chaplains regarding their relationship with social workers and other professionals. The results provide useful information which can be used to enhance social work curriculum in preparing students for interdisciplinary work with professional spiritual helpers.

METHODS: A survey was administered to chaplains attending an annual meeting of the Association of Professional Chaplains. In addition, other chaplaincy organizations such as those working in prisons were contacted and surveys were sent to their membership, resulting in a sample of 405 respondents. The instrument asked demographic questions and there were 30 questions that asked for chaplains to rate their perceptions of other helping professionals, including social workers. In addition, open-ended questions explored qualitative responses such as the positive and negative aspects of working relationship with social workers. Content analysis and descriptive statistics were used to develop conclusions and recommendations.

RESULTS: Content analysis of the chaplains' responses identified a number of both positive and negative aspects of working with social workers. Positive responses included that social workers are the professionals with whom chaplains tend to have the greatest rapport and who show the greatest respect for their contribution. There was a perceived sense of trust, mutual aid, and holistic collaboration reported in the responses. Another important finding was the chaplains' perception that social workers tended to understand the importance of spiritual care and request it for their clients.

Negative responses included a perception that social workers often presented their roles as more important than the chaplains', exhibited a controlling attitude and acted as “gatekeepers” for client care. Some respondents reported that they felt social workers regarded spirituality more as a psychological phenomenon.

Statistical analysis revealed that 90% of respondents rated their relationships with social workers as positive on the five-point scale (M= 4.47, SD = .71). There was more variation in the responses to the level of comfort of social workers in discussing spiritual issues with clients (M = 3.28, SD = .92). A slightly higher response was given to the extent to which social workers understand and support spirituality as an important aspect of treatment (M = 3.97, SD = .85). The results indicate that the chaplains in the study perceive that social workers understand and support spirituality as an aspect of treatment.

IMPLICATIONS: The results of this study support a need for addressing models of spiritual development and religious traditions as a part of the social work curriculum. Such content should be offered as a part of understanding and accepting diversity in religious and spiritual values, and learning how to conduct assessments and interventions reflecting spiritually sensitive practice. Further research is needed to explore the perceptions of social workers to the roles of spiritual helpers.