Twelfth International Conference on Religion & Spirituality in Society

Abstract

This paper describes the results of a cross-sectional study of social workers’ views and behaviors related to integrating clients religion and spirituality (R/S) in practice. In addition, the study addresses the relationship between these and the professional working alliance, an alliance that is critical to promote client growth and development. A total of 131 Israeli Jewish and Arab social workers responded to the Religious/ Spiritually Integrated Practice Assessment Scale and the Working Alliance Inventory, that was distributed through the Israeli Social Workers Union and the Israeli social network, Facebook. Results indicate that social workers have favorable attitudes and high levels of self-efficacy. However, study participants report on low feasibility and low levels of integration of client’s R/S beliefs into practice. Social work field instructors report more positive attitudes towards R/S than non-field instructors yet as was the case overall, they report fewer behaviors related to integrating clients’ R/S into treatment. In addition, strong working alliances significantly moderated self-efficacy and the frequency of integration of R/S in practice. Findings strengthen those of earlier studies that indicate that R/S remains marginal in the profession. To begin to address this gap, it is necessary to develop standardized R/S education while addressing the importance of strong working alliances as significant moderators in the integration of R/S in practice.