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http://dx.doi.org/10.14475/kjhpc.2013.16.4.253

Spirituality and Stress in Mental Health Social Workers  

Kim, Chang-Gon (School of Social Welfare, Gwangju University)
Publication Information
Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care / v.16, no.4, 2013 , pp. 253-263 More about this Journal
Abstract
Purpose: This study was conducted to analyze the association between spirituality and stress of mental health social workers, which could be used in development of a program to help them manage stress and offer spiritual support. Methods: Participants were 154 mental health social workers in Korea. Data were collected from November 1 through November 30, 2011. The study employed the Korean version of the Spirituality Scale and Psychosocial Well-being Index-Short Form (PWI-SF). Data were analyzed using SPSS/Windows 17.0. Results: The mean score for the Spirituality Scale was 3.63 and for PWI-SF 18.78. Spirituality scores showed a significant difference among participants by age, education, religion and marital status. Psychosocial stress scores also significantly differed by marital status. Spirituality scores were negatively correlated with psychosocial stress scores (r=-0.548, P<0.001). Conclusion: In this study, a significant negative association was found between spirituality and stress in mental health social workers in Korea. A follow-up study with a larger sample of participants is needed to confirm these findings.
Keywords
Spirituality; Psychological stress; Social worker;
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Times Cited By KSCI : 5  (Citation Analysis)
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