Goals of chaplaincy care: a scoping review of Dutch literature

Abstract

A substantial number of (mostly health care) chaplaincy articles have emphasized the need for chaplaincy outcome research. In this study, we contribute to formulating intrinsic chaplaincy outcomes by first identifying chaplaincy goals. To this end, we have performed a scoping review of Dutch chaplaincy literature. We have focused on articles, books, and dissertations published between 2014 and 2019. Six distinct goals of chaplaincy were identified, using 86 fragments found in 33 sources: worldview vitality and plausibility, processing life events, deepening spirituality, relational affirmation, well-being, and exercising freedom of religion. Several of these main goals could be subdivided into more specific goals. Future research is needed to examine whether the found goals apply equally within the different types of chaplaincy and to examine their interrelations. In addition, future research should examine how these goals are pursued in practice and how they relate to client needs.

Keywords: Chaplaincy; effects; goals; outcomes; spiritual care.