[DOWNLOAD] "Staff Perceptions of the Benefits of Religion in Health and Human Services Nonprofits: Evidence from International Development." by Journal of Health and Human Services Administration ~ eBook PDF Kindle ePub Free
eBook details
- Title: Staff Perceptions of the Benefits of Religion in Health and Human Services Nonprofits: Evidence from International Development.
- Author : Journal of Health and Human Services Administration
- Release Date : January 22, 2009
- Genre: Law,Books,Professional & Technical,
- Pages : * pages
- Size : 326 KB
Description
INTRODUCTION The question of whether the religious orientation of nonprofit organizations influences how services are provided is at the root of policy debates over faith-based initiatives in the United States and other western countries. Those who support increased funding for faith-based health and human service provision often assert that faith-based organizations' (FBOs) services are more effective due to more caring, compassionate, and supportive approaches used by staff members motivated by faith (Chaves & Tsitsos, 2001; Ebaugh, Pipes, Saltzman Chafetz & Daniels, 2003; Ebaugh, Saltzman Chafetz & Pipes, 2005; Fischer, 2008; Frumkin, 2002; Monsma, 1996; Sherman, 1995; Singletary & Collins, 2004). International FBOs working in developing countries sometimes are perceived as exhibiting greater long-term commitment to local communities than do secular NGOs (Bradley, 2005), or having greater success due to a sense of religious solidarity they share with their clientele (Monsma, 1996; Nichols, 1988). Supporters of faith-based service provision also argue that services provided by FBOs have desirable moral and spiritual aspects that make them particularly beneficial when serving populations suffering from substance abuse, violence, and incarceration (Fischer, 2008). Research demonstrates a strong positive correlation between religious behavior and increased health and well-being, though the direction of causation remains unclear; researchers have yet to determine whether religion causes individuals to choose healthier and more positive behaviors, or if other external factors cause an individual to choose both healthy, positive behaviors and religious practice (Johnson, Tompkins, & Webb, 2002).