Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 1-1-2009 Personal and professional spirituality: Muslim social workers' perspectives Cheryl W. El-Amin Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Psychiatric and Mental Health Commons, Religion Commons, and the Social Work Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University COLLEGE OF SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Cheryl El-Amin has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Jeanne Connors, Committee Chairperson, Human Services Faculty Dr. Munira Merchant, Committee Member, Human Services Faculty Dr. Victor Lofgreen, Committee Member, Human Services Faculty Chief Academic Officer Denise DeZolt, Ph.D. Walden University 2009 ABSTRACT Personal and Professional Spirituality: Muslim Social Workers‘ Perspectives by Cheryl W. El-Amin M.S.W., University of Michigan, 1988 B.A., University of Michigan, 1976 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Human Services Walden University June 2009 ABSTRACT Research in the area of religion and spirituality in social work practice is lacking minority practitioner representation. This phenomenological study explored the questions of how American Muslim social workers define and experience the religious/spiritual, and perceive the propriety of integrating either, in practice. Ibn Khaldun and Durkheim, early social theorists, suggested that group feeling and affiliation impact personal and professional perception and decision making. American societal views of Muslims are often negative and uninformed. A group of 15 Muslim practitioners with bachelor‘s or more advanced degrees in social work were recruited through a survey administered via an Internet survey site. In depth telephone interviews were conducted that clarified personal and professional descriptions and experiences of the religious/spiritual. Transcript statements were critically reviewed for range of meaning (horizonalization) and reduced to their thematic essences following the phenomenological thematic analysis paradigm. Trustworthiness of the study was verified through ongoing bracketing of the researcher‘s assumptions and maintenance of a data collection journal. Findings indicated that participants favored a client-centered approach based on the social work standard of self determination. Most participants differentiated and acknowledged the value of spirituality more than religion in practice. Practitioners, cognizant of possible negative interpretations of Muslims and Islam, rely on the client to initiate religious themes in therapy. This finding suggests the need for future study of client views. Implications for social change are evidenced in the clients‘ assurance that Muslim practitioners‘ professional integration of the religious/spiritual is client driven and bound by competent social work ethical practice. Personal and Professional Spirituality: Muslim Social Workers‘ Perspectives by Cheryl W. El-Amin M.S.W., University of Michigan, 1988 B.A., University of Michigan, 1976 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Human Services Walden University June 2009 UMI Number: 3366969 Copyright 2009 by El-Amin, Cheryl W. All rights reserved INFORMATION TO USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleed-through, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. ______________________________________________________________ UMI Microform 3366969 Copyright 2009 by ProQuest LLC All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. _______________________________________________________________ ProQuest LLC 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, MI 48106-1346 DEDICATION This investigation is first dedicated to The Almightly Creator—ALLAH who makes all things possible. Secondly, I dedicate this treatise to my now deceased mother Amma Louise Stitt Ware, whose unconditional love, support and emphasis on the value of education provided the impetus to embark on the never ending pursuit of knowledge. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS La illaha illah la. I thank G‘d and all who assisted and supported this endeavor. Dr. Jeanne Connors‘ guidance and feedback as Dissertation Chair, buoyed my confidence and writing skills. Dr. Lofgreen and Dr. Merchant, as dissertation committee members, provided expertise that offered new insight and broadened the study‘s perspective. Thanks to Dr. Aneesah Nadir (ISSA President) whose assistance and support in securing a Muslim social worker database was essential to obtaining access to Muslim social workers in America. Dr. Furman, Dr. Canda, and Dr. Benson‘s 1999 study provided the impetus for this study and I appreciate their willingness and advice in sharing their survey for use in this investigation. I wish to extend my gratitude and appreciation for all who took the time to complete the survey and especially to my Muslim brother and sister social work colleagues/coresearchers whose gracious offering of time and candid sharing of knowledge and experience provided Muslim Voices for this dissertation. I am especially grateful for my immediate and extended family and friends encouragement. Thanks to my husband Abdullah for his patience and understanding; my children Maurice, Zarinah, and Idris and; my sister Caroline for their individual roles in the realization of this goal. I thank G‘d for the opportunity to care for Sufyan, my grandson who reminds that there is always wonder in the ordinary. Thanks to Camisha, Halim, and Collette for sharing your spouses. I want to acknowledge my Muslim Center family for their interest and support; particularly Bro. Ben for his unwaivering confidence and Sis. Tahira my dissertation ii Angel whose direct assistance with the survey, oral defense and corating of transcripts helped see the process through to its‘ fruition. May Allah bless you all with peace, perseverance and prosperity as you continue to serve the creation. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES………………………………………………………………………...x LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................... xi CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................1 Problem Statement .......................................................................................................5 Research Questions......................................................................................................6 Background .................................................................................................................7 Spirituality and Religion ..........................................................................................7 Aasibiyah .................................................................................................................9 Conscience Collective ............................................................................................ 11 Nature of the Study- Theoretical Support ................................................................... 11 Purpose ...................................................................................................................... 12 Assumptions .............................................................................................................. 12 Research Design ........................................................................................................ 13 Pretest........................................................................................................................ 15 Sample Frame ........................................................................................................ 15 Solution ............................................................................................................. 15 Analysis..................................................................................................................... 16 Definition of Terms ................................................................................................... 17 Scope and Limitations ............................................................................................... 19 Researcher‘s Profile and Role ................................................................................ 19 Social Desirability.................................................................................................. 21 Social Change ...........................................................................................................