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Abstract:
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This study evaluated how BSW students at two Texas universities , one publicly funded and one privately funded , perceive their level of preparedness , comfort and the importance of addressing / using religion and spirituality in social work . In this study 41 students nearing the completion of their baccalaureate degree and enrolled in a field placement , were invited to complete a multi -faceted questionnaire consisting of 92 very specific questions . Of the 41 students invited to participate in the study , all subjects chose to complete the questionnaire . The questionnaire used gathered some information regarding the students' personal religious and spiritual affiliation however , the majority of questions focused on student perception of the following : the importance of religion and spirituality in social work practice ; their comfort addressing these issues in practice ; their level of preparedness in addressing these issues in practice ; and their perceptions regarding classroom and field education received in this area . Data collected were scaled to develop a score specifically in the areas of importance , preparedness , comfort , field education and classroom education . Data were evaluated using descriptives , t -tests and chi -square analyses . Tests of the research hypotheses revealed there was a statistically significant difference in student perceptions of the importance of religion and spirituality in social work , with more students from the private university indicating this is important . Analysis found no major difference between overall education received between schools however , descriptives indicate difference between classroom and field education . No differences were found between student perception with respect to comfort and preparedness , although a significant difference was found between students' perception of the education received and the perception of their preparedness . Specifically , less than half reported receiving education in the field or classroom regarding religion and spirituality , but a large majority reported comfort and preparedness in using these in practice . |