Chaplains in federal and state organizations: An institutional note

Psychol Serv. 2023 Feb;20(1):51-55. doi: 10.1037/ser0000729. Epub 2022 Nov 10.

Abstract

Spiritually integrated care that includes collaborations among chaplains, psychologists, and other health care professionals can have a profound effect on people's lives. To facilitate this care, scholars and policy makers need to understand where chaplains work and how they are (or are not) formally a part of institutions, particularly those funded by the state and federal government. This article offers a short history of chaplaincy and provides snapshots about where chaplains work as federal and state employees in three sample states: Massachusetts, Illinois, and California. This institutional perspective is integral to understanding where and how chaplains are staffed and where collaborations are possible. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

MeSH terms

  • Chaplaincy Service, Hospital*
  • Clergy
  • Health Facilities
  • Humans
  • Pastoral Care*