Date of Paper

5-2017

Type of Paper

Clinical research paper

Degree Name

Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)

Department

Social Work

First Advisor

Kari Fletcher

Department/School

Social Work

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if spiritually integrated care positively changed symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and spiritual distress in veterans. This quantitative study used secondary data (n = 138) from a sample of veterans identified by the Minneapolis Veteran Affairs Health Care System. Instruments used in the study were the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist and the Religious and Spiritual Struggles Scale. The findings from this study included a decrease in spiritual distress following a spiritually integrated intervention. Veterans who participated in an 8-session group intervention known as Building Spiritual Strength self-reported less distress with a Higher Power following the conclusion of the study. Additional findings included positive correlations between Posttraumatic Stress Disorder symptoms (re-experiencing, avoidance, and hypervigilance), and subscale scores on the Religious and Spiritual Struggles Scale. Implications for social work practice and the implications for research are discussed in this research study.

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