The Persistence of Religion as a Master Status for Chaplains.

This article examines how recipients of spiritual care perceive the role of chaplains, defined as clergy or spiritual caregivers serving outside traditional houses of worship in settings such as hospitals, the military, and prisons. Based on interviews with 38 individuals who interacted with chaplains, the study uses a "jobs to be done" framework to identify three key dimensions of chaplaincy work from the care recipients' perspective: social listening, emotional comfort, and functional practical religious support. Notably, recipients view the functional religious role as the chaplain's master status—the most socially dominant and defining aspect—contrasting with chaplains' own emphasis on presence. The findings suggest that while chaplains share some roles with therapists and social workers, their unique value lies in providing religious and spiritual care, highlighting implications for chaplaincy's professional identity and future research focused on beneficiaries' experiences.