Motivational Factors in Mental Health Chaplains

Practitioners’ Perspectives

Authors

  • Peter Madsen Gubi University of Chester
  • Harry Smart Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/hscc.v1i2.149

Keywords:

Mental Health, Chaplaincy, Chaplain, motivation

Abstract

The role of Mental Health (MH) Chaplains in the UK is unclear. Their motivation to undertake and sustain them in the work is under-researched. The aim of this research is to explore what motivates people into MH Chaplaincy, and what motivates them to remain. For this research, eight MH Chaplains were interviewed to explore what brought them into MH Chaplaincy and what motivates them to remain in it. The data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Three major themes emerged: Contextual; Early motivation; Sustaining Motivation. The data revealed significant factors that motivate MH Chaplains to undertake the work, and factors that sustain them in the work. Implications for recruitment, training, supervision, appraisal and professionalization are explored.

Author Biographies

  • Peter Madsen Gubi, University of Chester

    Revd Dr Peter Madsen Gubi is Senior Lecturer in Counselling at the University of Chester, and non-stipendiary Minister of Dukinfield Moravian Church, near Manchester

  • Harry Smart, Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust

    Revd Harry Smart is former Lead Mental Health Chaplain at Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust.

References

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Department of Health (2003) NHS Chaplaincy: Meeting the Religious and Spiritual Needs of Patients and Staff. Guidance for Managers and Those Involved in the Provision of Chaplaincy-Spiritual Care. Department of Health.

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Morrow, W. R., and A. T. J. Matthews (1966) “Role Definitions of Mental-Hospital Chaplains”. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 5(3): 421–34. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/1384170

Smith, J. A., P. Flowers and M. Larkin (2009) Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis: Theory, Method and Research. London: Sage Publications.

Swift, C. (2009) Hospital Chaplaincy in the Twenty-First Century: The Crisis of Spiritual Care in the NHS. Farnham: Ashgate Publishing Ltd.

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Threlfall-Holmes, M., and M. Newitt, eds. (2011) Being a Chaplain. London: SPCK

Published

2014-05-27

How to Cite

Gubi, P., & Smart, H. (2014). Motivational Factors in Mental Health Chaplains: Practitioners’ Perspectives. Health and Social Care Chaplaincy, 1(2), 149-164. https://doi.org/10.1558/hscc.v1i2.149