Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Getting to the Heart of the Matter: A Self-Reflexive Approach to Workplace Spirituality

  • Living reference work entry
  • First Online:
The Palgrave Handbook of Workplace Spirituality and Fulfillment

  • 133 Accesses

Abstract

The author of this chapter takes a heuristic and narrative approach to report the findings of an extracted study from her qualitative, transcendental phenomenological dissertation. The topic of spirituality was an unexpected, emerging theme that was disconfirming in the data, where two of the six participants made consistent reference to their spirituality in the workplace.

This disconfirming data was uncovered in this study without any prompting, but its evident emergent presence seemed to merit further investigation. Studies reveal that more and more clients are acknowledging some type of spiritual or religious affiliation. However, social workers as professionals are not necessarily recognized or acknowledged for their beliefs about spirituality and how those beliefs may transcend into the workplace. This chapter provides an in-depth visit to the data related to these two participants who are self-identified as spiritual beings. The major themes and sub-themes are revealed through the lens of self-reflexivity to find meaning from their perceptions of spirituality in the urban-based communities where they live and work.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Anderson GT (2016) The use of self as a tool for culturally responsive change agency in social work practice: a qualitative phenomenological case study. Doctoral dissertation. Retrieved from mospace.umsystem.edu

  • Barker RC (1968) The power of decision: a step-by-step program to overcome indecision and live without failure. Penguin Group, Inc., New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyd-Franklin N (2010) Incorporating spirituality and religion into the treatment of African American clients. Couns Psychol 38(7):976–1000. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011000010374881

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Braun V, Clarke V (2006) Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qual Res Psychol 3(2):77–101

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Canda ER, Furman LD (2010) Spiritual diversity in social work practice, 2nd edn. Oxford University Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Chamiec-Case R, Sherr M (2006) Exploring how social work administrators integratespirituality in the workplace. Soc Work Christ 33(3):268–287

    Google Scholar 

  • Clandinin DJ (2006) Narrative inquiry: a methodology for studying lived experience. Res Stud Music Educ 27:44–54

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen L, Manion L, Morrison K (2005) Research methods in education, 5th edn. Taylor & Francis e-library, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Coholic D (2012) A review of spiritually sensitive and holistic social work methods: Current emphases and future directions for research and practice. In Spirituality in social work and education: Theory, practice, and pedagogies (pp. 167–185). Waterloo: Wilfrid Laurier University Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Cone JH (2011) The cross and the lynching tree. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books

    Google Scholar 

  • Cone J (2011) Paulo Friere, Black theology of liberation, and liberation theology: A conversation with James H. Cone. In J. Kirylo (Ed.), Paulo Friere: The man from recife (pp. 195–212). New York, NY: Peter Lang

    Google Scholar 

  • Connelly FM, Clandinin DJ (1999) Shaping a professional identity: stories of educational practice. Teachers College, Columbia University, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Cournoyer B (2000) The social work skills workbook (3rd ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth

    Google Scholar 

  • Creswell JW (2013) Qualitative inquiry & research design: Choosing among five approaches. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage

    Google Scholar 

  • Crossman JE (2015) Being on the outer: the risks and benefits of spiritual self-disclosure in the Australian workplace. J Manag Organ 21(6):772–785

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dewey J (1938) Experience and education. Macmillan. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/58417009?accountid=14589

  • Ellington LL (2014) The truth must dazzle gradually: enriching relationship research using a crystallization framework. J Soc Pers Relat 31(4):442–450. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407514523553

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Erickson F (2004) Culture in society and in educational practices. In J.A. Banks & C.A.M. Banks (Eds.), Multicultural education: Issues and perspectives (5th ed., pp. 31–60). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley

    Google Scholar 

  • Esteban-Guitart M, Moll LC (2014) Funds of identity: a new concept based on the funds of knowledge approach. Cult Psychol 20(1):31–48

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fairholm GW (1997) Capturing the heart of leadership. Praeger, Westport

    Google Scholar 

  • Finlay L (2002) Outing’ the researcher: the provenance, process, and practice of reflexivity. Qual Health Res 12(4):531–545

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fourie M (2014) Spirituality in the workplace: An introductory overview, In die Skriflig 48(1), Art. #1769, 8 p. https://doi.org/10.4102/ids.v48i1.1769

  • Freeman DR (2015) Archetypal identification: an alternative for spiritual well-being assessment. J Relig Spiritual Soc Work 34:158–176. https://doi.org/10.1080/15426432.2014.973987

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Froggett L, Ramvi E, Davies L (2015) Thinking from experience in psychosocial practice: reclaiming and teaching use of self. J Soc Work Pract 29(2):133–150. https://doi.org/10.1080/02650533.2014.923389

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fry L (2003) Toward a theory of spiritual leadership. Leadersh Q 14:693–727

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fry LW (2008) Spiritual Leadership: State-of-the-Art and Future Directions for Theory, Research, and Practice. In: Biberman J., Tischler L. (eds) Spirituality in Business. Palgrave Macmillan, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Gallup G, Newport F (2006) Religion most important to Blacks, women and older Americans. Retrieved from http://www.gallup.com/poll/25585/ReligionMost-Important-Blacks-Women-Older-Americans.aspx

  • Giacalone RA, Jurkiewicz CL (2003) Toward a science of workplace spirituality. In: Giacalone RA, Jurkiewicz CL (eds) The handbook of workplace spirituality & organizational performance. M.E. Sharpe, Armonk, pp 3–28

    Google Scholar 

  • Grbich C (2013) Qualitative data analysis: an introduction. Sage, Thousand Oaks

    Google Scholar 

  • Hayden RW, Barbuto JE (2011) Expanding a framework for a non-ideological conceptualization of spirituality in the workplace. J Behav Appl Manag 12:142–155

    Google Scholar 

  • Heydt MJ & Sherman NE (2005) Conscious use of self: Tuning the instrument of social work practice with cultural competence. The Journal of Baccalaureate Social Work 10(2):25–40

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hicks DA (2003) Religion and the workplace pluralism, spirituality, leadership. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Hubble MA, Duncan BL, Miller SD (1999) Introduction. In: Duncan BL, Hubble MA, Miller SD (eds) The heart and soul of change: what works in therapy. American Psychological Association, Washington, DC, pp 1–19

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Johnstone B (2001) Discourse analysis and narrative. In: The handbook of discourse Analysis. Blackwell Publishers, Inc., Malden

    Google Scholar 

  • Jurkiewicz CL and Giacalone RA (2004) A values framework for measuring the impact of workplace spirituality on organizational performance. Journal of Business Ethics, 49(2): 129–142

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kazemipour F, Amin SM (2012) The impact of workplace spirituality dimensions on organizational citizenship behavior among nurses with the mediating effect of affective organizational commitment. J Nurs Manag 20:139–148

    Google Scholar 

  • Koenig H (2005) Faith and mental health. London: Templeton Foundation Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Kondrat ME (1999) Who is the “self” in self-aware: professional self-awareness from a critical theory perspective. Soc Serv Rev 73(4):451–477

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar V, Kumar S (2014) Workplace spirituality as a moderator in relation between stress and health: an exploratory empirical assessment. Int Rev Psychiatry 26(3):344–351

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Land H (2015) Spirituality, religion and faith in psychotherapy. Lyceum Books, Chicago

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee BK (2002) Congruence in Satir’s model: its spiritual and religious significance. Contemp Fam Ther 24(1):57–78

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liechty J (2005) Exploring use of self: From definitional challenges to identifying best practices. (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from ProQuest Information and Learning Company. (UMI 3181627)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lincoln YS, Guba EG (1985) Naturalistic inquiry. Sage, Thousand Oaks

    Google Scholar 

  • Lincoln CE, Mamiya LH (1990) The Black church in the African American experience. Duke University Press, Durham

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Longhofer J, Floersch J (2012) The coming crisis in social work: some thoughts on socialwork and science. Res Soc Work Pract 22(5):499–519

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mackey RA (2007) Toward an Integration of Ideas About the Self for the Practice of Clinical Social Work. Clin Soc Work J 36:225–234 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10615-007-0126-0; Published online: 29 September 2007 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miles MB, Huberman AM, Saldaña J (2013) Qualitative data analysis: a methods sourcebook. Sage, Thousand Oaks

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitroff II, Denton EA (1999) A study of spirituality in the workplace. MIT Sloan Manag Rev 40:83–92

    Google Scholar 

  • Moustakas CE (1956) The self: explorations in personal growth. Harper & Row, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Moustakas CE (1977) Creative life. Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Moustakas CE (1990a) Heuristic research: design and methodology. Per Cent Rev 5(2):170–190

    Google Scholar 

  • Moustakas CE (1990b) Heuristic research: design, methodology, and applications. Sage, Newbury Park

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Moustakas C (1994) Phenomenological research methods. Sage, Thousand Oaks

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Moustakas CE (1995) Being-in, being-for, being-with. Jason Aronson, Inc., Lanham

    Google Scholar 

  • Mulder C (2015) From the inside out: social workers’ expectations for integrating religion and spirituality in practice. J Relig Spiritual Soc Work 34:177–204. https://doi.org/10.1080/15426432.2014.993106

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Naidoo M (2014) The potential of spiritual leadership in workplace spirituality. Koers – Bull Christ Scholar 79(2), Art. #2124, 8 p. https://doi.org/10.4102/koers.v79i2.2124

  • National Association of Social Workers (2001) NASW code of ethics. NASW, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Newport F (2016) Most Americans Still Believe in God. Social & Policy Issues. Retrieved from http://news.gallup.com/poll/193271/americans-believe-god.aspx

  • Ospina SM, Dodge J (2005) It’s about time: catching method up to meaning – the usefulness of narrative inquiry in public administration research. Public Adm Rev 65(2):143–157

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Patton MQ (2002) Qualitative research and evaluation methods, 3rd edn. Sage, Thousand Oaks

    Google Scholar 

  • Patton MQ (2015) Qualitative research and evaluation methods, 4th edn. Sage, Thousand Oaks

    Google Scholar 

  • Pew Research Center Religion and Public Life (2016) Racial and ethnic composition. Retrieved from http://www.pewforum.org/religious-landscape-study/racial-and-ethnic-composition/

  • Pirkola H, Rantakokko P, Suhonen M (2016) Workplace spirituality in health care: an integrated review of the literature. J Nurs Manag 24:859–868. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.12398

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Renetzky L (1979) The fourth dimension: applications to the social services. In: Moberg D (ed) Spiritual well-being: sociological perspectives. University Press of America, Washington, DC, pp 215–254

    Google Scholar 

  • Richards L, Morse JM (2007) Readme first for a user’s guide to qualitative methods, 2nd edn. Sage, Thousand Oaks

    Google Scholar 

  • Schutte PJW (2016) Workplace spirituality: a tool or a trend? HTS Teologiese Stud/Theol Stud 72(4):a3294. https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v72i4.3294

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor RJ, Chatters LM, Levin J (2004) Religion in the lives of African Americans: social, psychological, and health perspectives. Sage, Thousand Oaks

    Google Scholar 

  • Vaill P (1998) Spirited leading and learning. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Pembroke, NC, USA

    Gloria T. Anderson

Authors
  1. Gloria T. Anderson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gloria T. Anderson .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Woodbury University , North Hills, California, USA

    Satinder Dhiman

  2. Regent University , Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA

    Gary Roberts

  3. University of South Australia , Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

    Joanna Crossman

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature

About this entry

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this entry

Anderson, G.T. (2018). Getting to the Heart of the Matter: A Self-Reflexive Approach to Workplace Spirituality. In: Dhiman, S., Roberts, G., Crossman, J. (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of Workplace Spirituality and Fulfillment. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-61929-3_32-1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-61929-3_32-1

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-61929-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-61929-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Religion and PhilosophyReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Humanities

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation