Professional paper

Religiosity and spirituality in social work

Zdravka Leutar ; Faculty of Law, University of Zagrebu
Ivan Leutar

Abstract

In the first part of this study definitions of the following terms
have been provided: religion, religiosity, spirituality and social
work, along with explanations of their interrelations. Afterwards,
numerous researches on integration of religiosity and spirituality
into social work have been analyzed; most of the researches were
carried out in America and just a few in Europe. Comparative
analysis of the researches – carried out in the USA, Great Britain
and Norway – has been presented. On the basis of research results,
it is possible to conclude that interest in religion and spirituality in
social work has grown in the past 20 years, and their integration
into different fields of social work is possible and applicable. Most
social workers emphasize the usefulness of spirituality (in general)
and religiosity in social work and some speak about their negative
effects. It has been underlined that social workers have insufficient
knowledge about application of spirituality and religion to practical
social work. The need for further investigation in this field as well
as for higher level of integration of these topics into educational
curriculums for social workers has been noted: the need exists
in general and in particular in our country (Croatia), where such
researches have not been done at all.

Keywords

religiosity; religion; spirituality; social work; education

Hrčak ID:

49835

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/49835

Publication date:

25.3.2010.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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