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The Importance of Race and Religion in Social Service Providers

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  • Becky Hsu
  • Conrad Hackett
  • Leslie Hinkson

Abstract

type="main"> The objectives of this study are to investigate the traits that clients find important in professional social service providers, comparing confidence in client management skills (friendliness, experience, and knowledge) to desire for demographic characteristics (being of the same race and religion). To accomplish this task, we use multiple regression to analyze results of the Lehigh Valley Trust Survey of low-income recipients of social services. While most respondents find the professional traits important, there is significant variation in whether respondents consider demographic characteristics to be important. We find that having a provider of the same race is very important for African Americans and Hispanics, while having a provider with similar religious beliefs is extremely important for evangelical Protestants. Other predictive variables for homophilous preferences in race and religion are age, mobility, and education. Professional skills corresponding to organizational position are important to most people, but specific demographic groups prioritize racial, ethnic, and religious homophily. While we suggest some possible explanations (perceived or actual discrimination and cultural concordance), further research is needed to determine the causes.

Suggested Citation

  • Becky Hsu & Conrad Hackett & Leslie Hinkson, 2014. "The Importance of Race and Religion in Social Service Providers," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 95(2), pages 393-410, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:socsci:v:95:y:2014:i:2:p:393-410
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1111/ssqu.12050
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Jennifer A. Heerwig & Brian J. McCabe, 2009. "Education and Social Desirability Bias: The Case of a Black Presidential Candidate," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 90(3), pages 674-686, September.
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