The Chaplain as Translator

The Chaplain finds herself continually in the position of the translator, having to move in the space between subject and object. This space Winnicott calls Transitional, and Ulanov sees as particularly the domain of the clergy. The nature of these gaps is analysed, especially with respect to Chaplaincy and the work of the individual Chaplain. Various kinds of transitional space are examined, and the challenges facing the Chaplain in these situations are highlighted.     

Chaplain and psychiatrist as ally-rivals

Chaplain and psychiatrist share professional concern for the improved psychological health of the distressed general hospital patient. Commonality of concern suggests regular consultative co-presence and associated interprofessional collaboration. This study of consultation within one teaching hospital finds that co-presence occurs in less than five percent of potential cases and that collaborative exchange in connection with those cases is rare, a condition supported by psychiatric staff and found regrettable by chaplains. Case-typing, guided by outlooks of secularization (chaplain), scientism (psychiatrist), and traditionalism (ward internist), provides an accounting of collaborative underutilization, supplemented by considerations of organizational structure and positional power.     

Chaplain, soldier, counselor, pilgrim

The author offers examples of supervision drawing on object relations therapy and Christian faith, doctrine, and life, designed to facilitate theological integration of pastoral identity and clinical practice in the training of U.S. Army Family Life Chaplains. Therapeutic and supervisory relationships are conceived of as dia-Logos encounters requiring the same degree of ascetical sobriety, presence, and vulnerability as prayer and worship. Concepts of therapeutic aggression, functional atheism, and "not knowing" are linked with on-going self-examination and repentance stimulated by empathic engagement of clients as primary ingredients for spiritual growth and effective pastoral counseling.     

Chaplain contacts improve treatment outcomes in residential treatment programs for delinquent adolescents

This is a report of a study of 828 delinquent adolescents who completed behavioral treatment during 1995, 1996, 1997 in Holy Cross Children's Services programs. The research focused on a measure of chaplain contact time with each youth, and three outcome variables: "planned release" (program completion), living situation at 12 months after discharge, and a calculated cost of care for the 12 month graduates. The findings include statistically significant correlations between chaplain time and all three preferred outcome measures. The results were significant when age, number of prior incarcerations and religiosity variables were controlled for in a regression analysis. When the costs of aftercare for the graduates were computed, the average cost-of care-per-day of the no-Chaplain-contact graduates was significantly higher than that of the high-contact group. Based on the findings, the author suggests that chaplain involvement in the behavioral treatment of delinquent adolescents improves outcomes and is cost effective.     

Utilization of Hospital-Based Chaplain Services Among Newly Diagnosed Male Veterans Affairs Colorectal Cancer Patients

The aim of the study was to examine utilization of chaplain services among Veterans Affairs patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). In 2009, the Cancer Care Assessment and Responsive Evaluation Studies questionnaire was mailed to VA CRC patients diagnosed in 2008 (67 % response rate). Multivariable logistic regression examined factors associated with chaplain utilization. Of 918 male respondents, 36 % reported utilizing chaplains. Chaplain services were more likely to be utilized by patients with higher pain levels (OR = 1.017; 95 % CI = 0.999–1.035), younger age (age OR = 0.979; 95 % CI = 0.964–0.996), and later cancer stage (early stage OR = 0.743; 95 % CI = 0.559–0.985). Chaplain services are most utilized by younger, sicker patients.     

Providing Pastoral Care for the Elderly in Long Term Care Facilities Without a Chaplain Utilizing Coordinated Congregational Resources

Elderly persons living in long term care facilities are often separated from or have no pastoral care sources. Spiritual care by chaplains was not available in any of the six nursing homes in Wausau, Wisconsin. Twelve Lutheran congregations in the area worked out a plan to provide the necessary pastoral care. The congregations formed a coordinating agency, Greater Wausau Christian Services, Inc. Through the services of one staff person, the director, who enlisted the lay and pastoral resources of the participating congregations, pastoral care was provided. Worship led by the pastors, meaningful visits made by trained and supervised lay people, and the availability of a trained chaplain became a reality for nearly seven hundred residents in the six long term care facilities.