Posted: February 19th, 2022

Discussion: Spiritual Development

Discussion – Week 9

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Discussion: Spiritual Development

Do you identify as a spiritual or religious person? How might your spiritual identity influence your social work practice—both for those clients who have a similar worldview and those who do not?

Spirituality, which may or may not include involvement with an established religion, contributes to human diversity and influences behavior. Sensitivity to and respect for a client’s spiritual dimension reflects your appreciation of diversity and the code of ethics. As you consider the potential impact of your clients’ spirituality on their perspectives and behavior, you must also consider how your own spirituality might influence interactions with a client.

For this Discussion, you examine the potential effect of your spiritual views on social work practice and share strategies for being spiritually aware.

To Prepare:

Review the Learning Resources on spiritual development.
Reflect on your own spiritual or religious beliefs and how they may influence your social work practice.
By Day 01/26/20211

Post a Discussion in which you explain how considerations about clients’ worldviews, including their spirituality or religious convictions (Christian), might affect your interactions with them. Provide at least two specific examples. In addition, explain one way your own spirituality or religious convictions might support your work with a client, and one barrier it might present. Finally, share one strategy for applying an awareness of spirituality to social work practice in general. Be sure to refer to the NASW Code of Ethics in your response.

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Required Readings

Zastrow, C. H., Kirst-Ashman, K. K., & Hessenauer, S. L. (2019). Understanding human behavior and the social environment (11th ed.). Cengage Learning.

· Chapter 3, “Spotlight on Diversity: Relate Human Diversity to Psychological Theories” (pp. 112–114)

· Chapter 7, Sections “Review Fowler’s Theory of Faith Development,” “Critical Thinking: Evaluation of Fowler’s Theory,” and “Social Work Practice and Empowerment Through Spiritual Development” (pp. 339–342)

· Chapter 15, “Highlight 15.2: “Celebration of Life Funerals” (pp. 694–696)

Limb, G. E., Hodge, D. R., Ward, K., Ferrell, A., & Alboroto, R. (2018). Developing cultural competence with LDS clients: Utilizing spiritual genograms in social work practice. Journal of Religion and Spirituality in Social Work, 37(2), 166–181. https://doi.org/10.1080/15426432.2018.1448033

Oxhandler, H. K., Polson, E. C., & Achenbaum, W. A. (2018). The religiosity and spiritual beliefs and practices of clinical social workers: A national survey. Social Work, 63(1), 47–56. https://doi.org/10.1093/SW/SWX055

Pomeroy, E. C., Hai, A. H., & Cole, A. H., Jr. (2021). Social work practitioners’ educational needs in developing spiritual competency in end-of-life care and grief. Journal of Social Work Education, 57(2), 264–286. https://doi.org/10.1080/10437797.2019.1670306

Roh, S., Burnette, C. E., & Lee, Y.-S. (2018). Prayer and faith: Spiritual coping among American Indian women cancer survivors. Health and Social Work, 43(3), 185–192. https://doi.org/10.1093/hsw/hly015

Document: Life Span Interview (PDF)

Required Media

Walden University, LLC. (2021). Social work case studies [Interactive media]. Walden University Blackboard. https://class.waldenu.edu

· Navigate to Najeeb.

Follow Rubric

Initial Posting: Content

14.85 (49.5%) – 16.5 (55%)

Initial posting thoroughly responds to all parts of the Discussion prompt. Posting demonstrates excellent understanding of the material presented in the Learning Resources, as well as ability to apply the material. Posting demonstrates exemplary critical thinking and reflection, as well as analysis of the weekly Learning Resources. Specific and relevant examples and evidence from at least two of the Learning Resources and other scholarly sources are used to substantiate the argument or viewpoint.

Follow-Up Response Postings: Content

6.75 (22.5%) – 7.5 (25%)

Student thoroughly addresses all parts of the response prompt. Student responds to at least two colleagues in a meaningful, respectful manner that promotes further inquiry and extends the conversation. Response presents original ideas not already discussed, asks stimulating questions, and further supports with evidence from assigned readings. Post is substantive in both length (75–100 words) and depth of ideas presented.

Readability of Postings

5.4 (18%) – 6 (20%)

Initial and response posts are clear and coherent. Few if any (less than 2) writing errors are made. Student writes with exemplary grammar, sentence structure, and punctuation to convey their message.

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Week 9 Discussion

Top of the Game

Spiritual Growth is being discussed.

Do you consider yourself to be spiritual or religious? What impact might your spiritual identity have on your social work practice, both with clients who share your worldview and with those who don’t?

Spirituality, which may or may not be associated with a recognized religion, contributes to human diversity and has an impact on behavior. Your appreciation of variety and the code of ethics is reflected in your sensitivity to and regard for a client’s spiritual dimension. You must also evaluate how your own spirituality may influence interactions with clients as you consider the potential impact of your clients’ faith on their thoughts and behavior.

You will investigate the impact of your spiritual beliefs on social work practice in this Discussion.