Spiritual Assessment: a Review of Complementary Assessment Models

Assessment is considered by many to be an underdeveloped area in social work (Mattaini & Kirk, 1991). The lack of development is particularly acute in the area of spiritual assessment (Bullis, 1996; Sherwood, 1998). For instance, numerous studies have found that most social workers have received no training in the area of spiritual assessment (Bullis, 1996; Canda & Furman, 1999; Derezotes, 1995; Sheridan & Amato-von Hemert, 1999; Furman & Canda, 1994). The lack of attention devoted to spiritual assessment represents a significant oversight. Four issues, ontology, ethics, strengths, and autonomy will be discussed in brief to highlight the importance of spiritual assessment in social work. Spirituality is often central to clients’ personal ontology, meaning it may be the essence of their personhood. Spirituality may inform attitudes and practices in such areas as child rearing, diet, marriage, medical care, military participation, recreation, schooling, social interactions, as well as many other dimensions of life (DiBlasio, 1988; Rey, 1997). For one third of the general population, religion is the most important facet of their lives and over 50% consider it to be a very important aspect of their lives (Gallup & Lindsay, 1999; Walsh, 1999). Further, for African Americans, Hispanics, women, the elderly, the poor, and many other populations of significance to social workers, spirituality is even more salient (Gallup & Lindsay, 1999; Pargament, 1997). The provision of respectful services to these groups is often contingent upon practitioners’ awareness of clients’ spiritually based beliefs and practices. In order to provide effective services, social workers must develop some understanding of clients’ spiritual worldview. A second factor stems from the profession’s ethical mandates. Spirituality is often expressed in distinct traditions or faith-based cultures (Fellin, 2000; Talbot, 2000). The NASW Code of Ethics (1999) stipulates that social workers are to demonstrate competence and sensitivity toward faith based cultures (1.05b) and recognizes the strengths that exist among such groups (1.05a). Ethically sound practice entails obtaining the knowledge to exhibit spiritual sensitivity to clients.