Christian social workers and their sense of effectiveness in social work practice : a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Social Work, School of Health and Social Services, Massey University, Albany Campus
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Date
2010
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Massey University
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Abstract
While social work roots are undoubtedly firmly in religious soil, over recent years
the emphasis has widened to include a more inclusive definition of spirituality that
seeks to mirror the diverse society we now live in.
How social work responds to this increasingly complex environment is a matter of
concern for social work educators, practitioners and academics, who all share the
same aim of developing the most effective ways to deliver services to the client.
The evidence-based practice movement is an evolving response, seeking to offer
quality research based solutions to be implemented in practice.
Missing in the equation to date is the ability to capture the spiritual aspects of
practice both for practitioner (in terms of ‘use of self’) and client ( in relation to
spiritual assets that assist them).
To this end this qualitative study conducted semi-structured interviews with eight
Christian practitioners as examples of spiritually motivated social workers. The
research sought to explore how a Christian perspective contributed to a sense of
effectiveness in social work practice.
The findings produced discoveries that concurred with the literature and revealed
insights from the participants about the ways in which they sought to practice that
were consistent with their most valued beliefs.
Using the findings and the literature, practical applications are suggested as a way
forward for the inclusion of spiritual aspects in evaluating effective social work
practice.
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Keywords
Social workers, Social case work, Social services, Religious life, Christianity