The myth of spirituality
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21721725 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Edward Harrison Taylor (0000-0003-3149-2450, University of British Columbia, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2023 |
| Volume | 23 |
| Issue | 6 |
| Pages | 1005-1021 |
| Publication date | 2023-11-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Social Work (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1468-0173 • E-ISSN: 1741-296X |
| Publisher | SAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/14680173231166830 |
| OpenAlex | W4362735884 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 5 |
| References cited | 40 |
This article is designed to open a conversation about the place of spirituality in social work, highlight possible ethical issues, and question whether spirituality, as defined by social work and popular culture, is an immutable part of human development. Additionally, the role of social work in conducting spiritual assessments and interventions is specifically challenged, along with examples of how the misuse of spirituality can harm clients. The article also suggests that the profession would benefit from adopting an evidence-based concept of spirituality and establishing accountability standards. Findings: Until more is known about spirituality, social workers may want to consider: (1) placing a moratorium on using and developing spiritual assessment instruments until the concept can be accurately defined; (2) omitting words linked to religious symbols such as soul, anointing, blessing, etc. in social work practice; (3) conducting spiritual screenings rather than complete spiritual assessments, and (4) referring clients with spiritual questions or wanting spiritual support to experts known not to blame or harm clients and trained in the specific area of concerns expressed by the person. Applications. The time has come for social work to establish ethics, accountability, and limitations on the practice of spirituality
Accountability · Blame · Blessing · Conversation · Engineering ethics · Epistemology · Harm · Political science · Psychological intervention · Sociology · Soul · Spirituality · Theology · Law · Medicine · Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions · Psychology · Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology · Resilience and Mental Health · Social Psychology · Social Work
Effects of mindfulness on psychological health
How children come to understand false beliefs
Religious and spiritual struggles
Social work and spirituality
Whose Model of Spirituality Should Be Used in the Spiritual Development of School Children
Beneficial Effects of Spiritual Experiences and Existential Aspects of Life Satisfaction of Breast and Lung Cancer Patients in Poland
Suppressing spiritual struggles
The Role of Religion and Spirituality in Working with Children and Adolescents
Spiritual Assessment
A Template for Spiritual Assessment
Religion and spirituality in social work practice and education in a cross-cultural context
Religion and Spirituality in Social Work Education and Direct Practice at the Millennium
The Role of Religion and Spirituality in Social Work Practice
Charting the Development of Spirituality in Social Work in the Second Decade of the 21st Century
Spiritual Diversity in Social Work Practice
Spiritual Assessment and Native Americans
Using Spiritual Interventions in Practice
Charity Organization Reconsidered
Mindfulness meditation reduces guilt and prosocial reparation
Mixed Blessing
| Unique citing works | 5 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 5 |
| Citation span | 2025 - 2026 (2) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 5 |