The social construction of faith, spirituality, and caring: A case study of a faith-based not -for -profit integrated health care delivery system.

摘要

Previous scholarship has explored the intersection of health and organizing, often in managed care contexts. This study builds on this literature and investigates the relationships among faith, spirituality, caring, health, and work. Specifically, the study examines the social construction of faith, of spirituality, and of caring, the integration of health and faith/spirituality, and the integration of faith/spirituality and work among faith community nurses and other stakeholders of a faith-based not-for-profit integrated health delivery system. This study also explores how faith community nurses negotiate their multiple roles and identities as integrators of health and faith. Utilizing focus groups, semi-structured interviews, and archival and observational data, this study found faith and spirituality to emerge as central aspects of participants' personal and work identities. Participants construct faith as a sense of being in the world and as a sense of empowerment; they construct spirituality as the enactment of faith via practices and connection with others. Participants construct caring as an enactment of faith/spirituality. Spirituality surfaced as a communicative endeavor in that it is enacted through human interaction. The interplay of health and faith/spirituality is found in a sense of spiritual holism. The interplay of faith/spirituality and work brings forth a strong sense of identity.