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The purpose of this study was to examine the experience of spirituality with adult protective service social workers in Howard County Department of Social Services who experience secondary trauma. The heuristic research design and methodology was utilized in this study. The findings of this study were based on the data from first person depictions from seven licensed social workers. The data were obtained from personal interviews during which the co-researchers gave an in-depth account describing their experience of spirituality when exposed to secondary trauma. The co-researchers consisted of one male and six females between the ages of thirty-five and sixty-two years. The co-researchers were from various ethnic and religious backgrounds, residential locations, and years of service in Howard County Social Service. The findings revealed six core themes: (1) Spirituality—Who am 1?; (2) Spiritual Connection; (3) Spiritual Growth, Insight, and Practice; (3) Spiritual Healing Through Personal Trauma; (5) Spiritual Healing Through Professional Trauma; and (6) Spiritual Utilization in the Workplace. The findings indicated that those co-researchers who experienced secondary trauma utilized their spirituality during their healing process. A composite depiction and creative synthesis of qualities and themes were derived from the data. In the final chapter, a discussion, summary, comparison of the study with prior research, limitations of the study, social relevance and implications, and suggestions for future research were also discussed.
Advisor: | Taylor, George |
Commitee: | |
School: | Union Institute and University |
School Location: | United States -- Ohio |
Source: | DAI-A 68/08, Dissertation Abstracts International |
Source Type: | DISSERTATION |
Subjects: | Religion, Social work, Occupational psychology |
Keywords: | Adult protective services, Department of Social Services, Howard County, Maryland, Secondary trauma, Social workers, Spirituality |
Publication Number: | 3278647 |
ISBN: | 978-0-549-18838-4 |