The function of spirituality in addressing the stress of work

Abstract

This study of 154 helping professionals from seven different work environments employed five different measures to examine the impact of stress on spirituality and of spirituality on ameliorating workplace stress. Social workers and nurses reported that their workplaces were the most stressful while clergy and those working in pastoral care reported the least amount of workplace stress. Those working in funeral homes and churches reported the greatest negative impact on their spirituality by the stress of their work. It was also discovered that the greater the score on the JAREL spirituality scale the more likely respondents were to report that their workplaces had a more positive emotional climate and produced less stress. Overall, it appeared that for this non-random sample, spirituality contributed to wellness and assisted in counteracting workplace stress.