Ministry and Spiritual Care

W. Smeets

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

This article explores empirically the attitudes of spiritual caregivers in health care institutions in the Netherlands towards ministry and the goals of their profession. Ministry can be classified into ministry itself, the position and the modes of operation of spiritual care. A distinction is made between an immediate goal of the profession (communication on worldviews) and an ultimate goal (contribution to spiritual health). We examine the effects of beliefs about ministry on the professional goals, while controlling for relevant population and institutional characteristics. Orientation to the immediate and the ultimate goals of spiritual care is influenced mainly by personal identity attitudes and attitudes on suffering. The relation between ministry and its relevance to patients’ health (the ultimate goal of spiritual care) needs further research.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-33
Number of pages33
JournalJET : journal of empirical theology
Volume26
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - 2013

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