Social workers' use of spiritual practices in palliative care.
Numerous studies have examined client use of spiritual and/or religious practices to cope with illness and adversity. This study explores social workers' use of spiritual practices as reflected in their work with palliative care clients. Survey results (n = 327) indicated significant relationships of spiritual practices such as yoga, prayer and meditation to working with palliative care clients. The total number of these approaches is predicted by factors such as theoretical orientation and the social workers' own struggles with palliative care and other issues. Our study supports the need for additional investigation of spiritual issues in practice.
Dane
Barbara
B
New York University, School of Social Work, One Washington North, New York NY 10003, USA. btd1@nyu.edu
Moore
Robert
R
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D012067:Religion; D012947:Social Work / Q000379:methods*; D029181:Spirituality; D019452:Terminally Ill / Q000523:psychology*