bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Religious Coping Styles and Recovery from Serious Mental Illnesses
Authors: Yangarber-Hicks Natalia
Published: February 2018

Despite the relative lack of empirical research on the role of spirituality in the lives of severely mentally ill individuals, personal accounts and qualitative studies have demonstrated the importance of religion in recovery from mental illnesses. Research on religious coping has shown faith to be a method individuals rely on to gain control in their lives. This study examined relations among religious coping styles, empowerment, level of adaptive functioning, and recovery activities. Findings indicated that the Collaborative approach to religious coping was related to greater involvement in recovery-enhancing activities and increased empowerment while the Deferring coping strategy was associated with improved quality of life. However, the Self-directing and Plead styles were linked with less positive psychosocial outcomes. This study provided preliminary support to the notion that reliance on religious faith and coping can be associated with active involvement in recovery and positive psychological adjustment among severely mentally ill individuals. Implications of these results and suggestions for future research were discussed.
Being a Good Neighbor: Can Students Come to Value Homosexual Persons?
Authors: Bassett Rodney L. , van Nikkelen-Kuyper Marike , Johnson Deanna , Miller Ashley , Carter Anna , Grimm Julia P.
Published: February 2018

Attitudes toward gay/lesbian persons and behavior were initially assessed among Christian college students. Students with either uniformly positive or negative attitudes toward homosexual persons and behavior were then exposed to psychological and spiritual interventions designed to help them see more clearly the value of homosexual persons. Attitudes toward homosexual persons and behavior were then reassessed immediately after the intervention and one month later. Generally, the intervention improved attitudes toward homosexual persons. The picture for attitudes toward homosexual behavior was more complicated. With students who were uniformly rejecting, the intervention made their attitudes toward homosexual behavior less rejecting. However, with students who were uniformly accepting, the intervention diminished their acceptance of gay/lesbian behavior.
Scripture and Psychological Science: Integrative Challenges & Callings
Authors: Hathaway William L.
Published: February 2018

A brief classification of a range of approaches to engaging Scripture in psychology is provided including one non-normative and three normative strategies (Bible as encyclopedia of revealed truths, Bible as a source of theological truths and values, and Bible as divine speech received by providentially situated readers). The implications of each of these for an integrative Christian psychology are discussed. Five issues are examined that require further development by Christians in psychology. If Scripture has authoritative priority then how might this authority concretely function in psychological science? What is the proper scope of Scripture with regard to psychology? What positive contributions to psychology are germinal within Scripture? Can Christian psychological scholarship contribute to Biblical hermeneutics? What improvements in integrative curriculum would facilitate greater attention to the Word of God in the discipline of psychology? These various issues present integrative challenges and callings for current and future generations of Christians in psychology.
Gender Relations and the Biblical Drama
Authors: Van Leeuwen Mary Stewart
Published: February 2018

The author, a Reformed academic psychologist, cites principles for the use of Scripture from her own theological tradition. These include acknowledging that there is no unmediated reading of Scripture, that Scripture should be read as a cosmic drama, and not just as isolated proof-texts, and that the ‘rule of purpose’ should be observed. These principles are then applied to the debate on male headship vs. gender mutuality, with special reference to the problem of over-reading gender-essentialist archetypes into Scripture.
Messianic Believers: Reflections on Identity of a Largely Misunderstood Group
Authors: Yangarber-Hicks Natalia
Published: February 2018

Despite much progress made in understanding multicultural and religious diversity, certain ethnic and religious groups continue to be neglected by the psychological community. Messianic Judaism remains a largely misunderstood and ignored expression of cultural and spiritual diversity. Numerous fears and misconceptions persist within both Christian and Jewish communities with regard to this movement. Even less is known about the psychological experiences of individuals committed to Messianic Judaism as they navigate the mazeway of their identity. This article attempts to shed some light on aspects of psychological identity of Messianic believers by first presenting the historical and theological background of the movement and its influence on the current experiences of its adherents. Research on ethnicity and its psychological consequences is then used to elucidate unique aspects of Messianic identity. Finally, practical recommendations for mental health professionals working with this population and a future research agenda are provided.
The Nature of Gender: Gender Identity in Persons who are Intersexed or Transgendered
Authors: Looy Heather , Bouma Hessel
Published: February 2018

We usually take for granted a harmony between our gender identity and our biological sex. However, persons who are intersexed or transgendered often experience this relationship as ambiguous or completely contradictory. They wonder whether they are female or male, neither or both. Their struggle raises important questions for all of us about the nature of gender. To what extent is our gender identity innate? Embodied? Is ambiguity in gender identity a relatively rare deviation from a dichotomous norm, or a reflection of a broader multiplicity of genders? The existence and experience of persons who are intersexed or transgendered challenge Christians to reflect seriously on our theologies of gender, and their implications for our understanding of what it means to be male and female. They also call us to consider how we might, in Christian community, seek to minister with persons who are intersexed or transgendered.
Relationship between Role Perception and Well-Being in Married Female Missionaries
Authors: Crawford Nancy , Devries Helen M.
Published: February 2018

Although women play a significant role in world missions, few studies have been done to ascertain what factors enhance their effectiveness and sense of well-being. This study surveyed 153 married female missionaries to explore how they perceive their overall well-being and missionary role, and whether their perception of their role is related to their sense of well-being. Unexpectedly, responses indicated a need to modify Bowers (1984) Classification of Married Women Missionaries' Roles from four categories into two: “direct worker” or “support worker.” In an analysis of the data using this new classification Direct Workers were found to have a lower level of emotional distress than Support Workers. Additionally, participants' answers to open-ended questions indicated a moderate level of relevance of role issues in their lives as missionaries. Implications of these findings for enhancing married female missionary's well-being and for future research using this new classification are discussed.
Calling and Conflict: A Qualitative Exploration of Interrole Conflict and the Sanctification of Work in Christian Mothers in Academia
Authors: Oates Kerris L.M. , Lewis Hall M. Elizabeth , Anderson Tamara L.
Published: February 2018

This study investigated the role of spirituality in working Christian mothers coping with tension due to interrole conflict, in light of past research suggesting a relationship between spirituality and coping constructs. Interviews with 32 mothers working in Christian academia were examined using a post hoc analysis of content informed by principles of grounded theory (Strauss & Corbin, 1998). Several aspects of a sense of calling emerged that appeared related to the experience of interrole tension: a sense of certitude, collaboration, and a context of purpose. It was theorized that for these women, the sanctification of work, through experiencing a sense of calling, was related to coping with interrole tension.
The Effect of Egalitarian and Complementarian Gender Role Attitudes on Career Aspirations in Evangelical Female Undergraduate College Students
Authors: Warner Colaner Colleen , Warner Susan C.
Published: February 2018

This research investigated the effect of two opposite religious gender role attitudes (Complementarianism and Egalitarianism) on the career aspirations of female college students at an Evangelical Christian university in the Midwest. A survey measuring Egalitarianism / Complementarianism gender role ideology and career aspirations was distributed to a random sample of 400 students of which 271 participants responded. Results indicated a statistically significant relationship exists between gender role attitude and career goals. Results also showed that an Egalitarian gender role attitude has a positive effect on the level to which a female aspires.
Spiritual Pollution: the Dilemma of Sociomoral Disgust and the Ethic of Love
Authors: Beck Richard
Published: February 2018

Within the Judeo-Christian tradition, holiness and purity traditions explicitly and extensively employ contamination metaphors to understand both sin and salvation. Thus, certain sins, or populations engaging in sins, can be experienced via disgust psychology. The use of contamination metaphors within Christianity is problematic in that disgust and love are, it is argued, opposed psychological processes. Thus, the deployment of contamination metaphors within Christianity may, unintentionally, undermine the Christian ethic of love. However, the New Testament offers illustrative episodes where contamination metaphors were suspended to allow love the victory over disgust psychology. In the end, religious communities are asked to monitor contamination metaphors so they may intentionally manage the social and ethical implications of erecting sociomoral boundaries.
Defensive versus Existential Religion: Is Religious Defensiveness Predictive of Worldview Defense?
Authors: Beck Richard
Published: February 2018

Beck (2004) has recently argued that, although existential defensiveness may motivate some religious persons, existential engagement is compatible with religious belief. More specifically, Beck (2004) has argued that “defensive believers” tend to adopt theological configurations mainly aimed at producing existential solace and consolation. Consequently, one of Beck's (2004) contentions is that “defensive believers” would display in-group bias in order to preserve the integrity of their worldview. By contrast, “existential believers,” due to their existential engagement, are predicted to display less in-group bias. This article presents two empirical studies aimed at testing these characterizations. First, in Study 1 a measure of existential defensiveness, the Defensive Theology Scale, was constructed and then compared with measures of Quest religious motivation and religious pluralism. Study 2, a laboratory study, borrowed a common experimental procedure from Terror Management Theory research. Specifically, defensive and existential participants were moved through a mortality salience manipulation with subsequent ratings of in-group and out-group targets. Overall, the results of Studies 1 and 2 supported Beck's (2004) characterizations. That is, religiously defensive participants scored lower on Quest motives and displayed the tendency to see in-group targets more favorably than out-group targets. Conversely, existential participants scored higher on Quest motives and tended to see in-group and out-group targets as equally attractive or capable.
Cultural Identity and Reentry in Short-Term Student Missionaries
Authors: Walling Sherry M. , Eriksson Cynthia B. , Meese Katherine J. , Ciovica Antonia , Gorton Deborah , Foy David W.
Published: February 2018

This study explores the relationship between cross cultural reentry and cultural identity in college student participants in short-term international mission trips. Twenty undergraduate students from a Christian college participated in focus groups discussing the question, “How did your experiences on your trip(s) influence your view of your home culture?” The discussion transcripts were coded, and analyzed according to (a) frequency, the number of times a theme was addressed; (b) extensiveness, the number of people who discussed a theme; and (c) intensity, the emotional strength of a response (Krueger, 1998). Negative reactions to home culture were the most frequent, extensive, and intense themes, followed by themes related to cultural awareness and personal growth. Other themes addressed adjustment and positive reactions to home culture. The findings imply that participants in short-term mission trips experience challenges to cultural identity, characterized by negative reactions. Recommendations for sending missions agencies are provided.
Cyberporn Use in the Context of Religiosity
Authors: Abell Jesse W. , Steenbergh Timothy A. , Boivin Michael J.
Published: February 2018

Past studies have demonstrated an inverse relationship between religiosity and addictive behaviors, such as gambling, smoking, alcoholism, and substance use. This association suggests that religiosity may act as a buffer against such behaviors. In recent literature, Internet-based pornography involvement has been identified as an addictive behavior, and popular Christian writing has suggested that it is affecting the Church. In this study, the relationship between religiosity and cyberporn involvement was examined among 125 undergraduate, college males. Findings suggested that involvement in Internet-based pornography among participants was prevalent. Furthermore, religiosity was not inversely related to the use of online sexual materials.
Missed Opportunities in Dialogue between Psychology and Religion
Authors: Nelson James M.
Published: February 2018

In the Middle Ages, studies of the natural world, human behavior and theology were part of an interwoven body of knowledge. However, in modern times an increasing divide has separated science and religion. A careful review suggests that currents and accidents in intellectual and social history have served to unnecessarily foreclose lines of thought that might lead to rapprochement of religion with science, including psychology. Developments in Western views of epistemology and the philosophy of science have been a major factor in this estrangement. In the early modern period, flexible views of science (e.g. Bacon) were replaced by doctrinaire formulations emphasizing quantitative methodologies. Especially important was the development of positivism, which opened the door to a reductionistic naturalism that intended not only to reduce dialogue with religion but also to replace it with science. Within psychology, Freud and other early psychologists were eager to establish psychology as a “real” science and enthusiastically embraced the positivist perspective and rejected possible alternatives. Although this positivist approach is philosophically untenable, it continues to dominate psychology and obstruct dialogue between science and religion as well as progress in psychology as a whole. A return to a broader and more modest conception of science is warranted.
Relationships among Perceived Stress, Premenstrual Symptomatology and Spiritual Well-Being in Women
Authors: Lustyk M. KATHLEEN B. , Beam Christopher R. , Miller Andrea C. , Olson Karen C.
Published: February 2018

Research demonstrates that psychological and physiological outcomes are impacted positively by spirituality. Yet, spirituality may also exacerbate the impact of stressors. In order to assess the relationships among spirituality, premenstrual symptomology (PMS) and stress in women, we performed the following survey of 145 females. Participants completed a measure of PMS symptoms, perceived stress and spiritual well-being. Our findings indicated that increases in spiritual well-being were positively related to PMS and stress endorsement. Furthermore, spiritual well-being served as a partial mediator between stress and PMS. As women who scored the highest on spirituality measures also had the highest PMS endorsement, women of Christian faith may benefit from heightened self-care practices surrounding stress management.
“Love Supreme”: On Spiritual Experience and Change in Personality Structure
Authors: Stevens Bruce A.
Published: February 2018

This article attempts to address the crucial question of how an experience of God might lead to changes in personality. Important concepts are drawn from psychoanalytic theory emphasising relational perspectives which have developed in recent decades. While somewhat under developed, there were relational aspects in Freud's thinking, both clinically in the transference and theoretically with oedipal dynamics and the formation of the superego. There is a brief mention of other psychoanalytic theorists and an outline of the work of Hans Loewald in regard to internalization of relationship patterns. There is an examination of some relevant results from infant observation and developmental research. And finally the article presents a view about how experiences of God are internalized in terms of relational patterns, adding structure to personality in a maturing and possibly healing way. This thesis is illustrated with a case drawn from the author's practice.
Traumatic Stress in a Missionary Population: Dimensions and Impact
Authors: Irvine Julie , Armentrout David P. , Miner Linda A.
Published: February 2018

Data Mining procedures were used to analyze responses of 173 missionaries surveyed about the nature and impact of traumatic stress (TS) they may have experienced while on the field. TS was almost universal, with the most frequent types involving system failure or personal crisis; there was also a high incidence of permanent negative change in those reporting TS, and over a third of these reported continuing symptoms almost a decade post-incident. Non-catastrophic stressors and stressors involving System Failure (particularly those with peer-System Failure) had higher TS impact. Severity, as seen in Total Impact and Total Number of Symptoms, was related to permanent negative change, as was age, with younger missionaries (possibly a generational rather than age or experience issue) being more vulnerable. Both destructive and salutogenic change were associated with TS, but no predictive variables were found for the latter.
Integration in Hong Kong: A phenomenological Study of Chinese Christian Therapists
Authors: Hsu Sharon S. , Hall M. Elizabeth Lewis , Coe John H.
Published: February 2018

The voices of other cultures need to be heard in the growing field of the integration of psychology and theology. This study phenomenologically explored the experience of integration for Chinese Christian therapists practicing in Hong Kong. The emerging themes placed the context of integration outside of the Hong Kong culture, with psychology and Christianity as foreign to the Chinese culture. Integration was founded on a dynamic and committed relationship to God. The centrality of relationship with God led to the sharing of personal beliefs with clients as well as encouragement to seek religion in their own lives. The power of theology to meet needs that could not be met elsewhere and provide meaning where none could be found, resulted in deference to the truths of theology.
Ideological Concerns in the Operationalization of Homophobia, Part II: The Need for Interpretive Sensitivity with Conservatively Religious Persons
Authors: Rosik Christopher H.
Published: February 2018

Building on the first article in this series (Rosik, 2007), the present study provided empirical analyses to determine the degree to which the relationship between conservative religion and homophobia as defined by Herek's (1998) Attitudes Toward Lesbians and Gay Men Scale (ATLG-R) was dependent upon items experienced as antireligious by Christian students. Three multiple regression analyses revealed that the associations between homonegative attitudes and respondents’ intrinsic religiousness, religious practice, and beliefs about the authority of the Bible were predicted only by the “Condemnation-Tolerance” component after accounting for gender, age and the remaining components of the ATLG-R. These findings suggest the possibility of an ideologically based circularity in the relationship between conservative religion and the construct of homophobia as measured by the ATLG-R. Thus, for these respondents the ATLG-R may function as an empirically packaged method of disparaging their religiously-based values concerning homosexuality. It is requisite that mental health professionals cultivate greater sensitivity to such concerns.
Biblical Metaphors for Corrective Emotional Relationships in Group Work
Authors: Greggo Stephen P.
Published: February 2018

Groups offer multiple opportunities for corrective emotional relationships that promote growth, healing and spiritual formation. The benefits of mutual exchange and emotional nurturance found in interpersonal support reflect human beings as imago dei with intentional fulfillment being found in the community of Jesus Christ. The construct of a corrective emotional relationship will be introduced in terms of the value and dynamics for healing as well as for spiritual refreshment and formation. Drawing on biblical metaphors from the Gospel of John, therelational benefits of interpersonal support are placed within a Christian framework. Group approaches offer specific advantages as a helping modality in Christian settings.
Spirituality, Life Stress, and Affective Well-Being
Authors: Powers David V. , Cramer Robert J. , Grubka Joshua M.
Published: February 2018

Recent research has explored many aspects of affective well-being, including depressive symptoms, positive and negative affect. The present study sought to contribute to this line of inquiry by investigating the role of life stress, spiritual life integration (SLI), and social justice commitment (SJC) in predicting affective well-being. Participants were 136 undergraduate students with a mean age of 18.82 (SD = 1.07), and age range of 17–22. Participants completed a questionnaire packet including the Undergraduate Stress Questionnaire (USQ), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS), and Spiritual Involvement Scale which includes SLI and SJC subscales. In line with previous findings, life stress significantly predicted negative affect and depressive symptoms in hierarchical regression analyses. Contrary to previous research, SLI did not predict any aspect of affective well-being. Finally, SJC significantly predicted positive affect, negative affect, and depressive symptoms. Interpretations, implications, limitations, and future research are discussed.
Emotion and Transformation in the Relational Spirituality Paradigm Part 2. Implicit Morality and “Minimal Prosociality”
Authors: Leffel G. Michael
Published: February 2018

The relevance of metapsychology for theory and research on personality change and spiritual transformation cannot be overstated. The objective of this three-article series is to work toward a new approach to the study of the affective basis of spiritual transformation (Emmons, 2005), specifically a moral motive analysis. Envisioned here, the essential task of such an analysis is to model how persons expand their implicit capacity for mature relationality (e.g., compassion), and move beyond “minimal prosociality” (Saroglou, 2006). The objective of the present article is two-fold. It summarizes seven principles of the recently outlined (Hall, 2004) and now expanding (Shults & Sandage, 2006) relational spirituality paradigm. Second, seeking to extend this paradigm, this article reviews the apophatic tradition in terms of Murphy's three descriptive dimensions: telos, problem, and process (discussed in Part 1). Following Jones (2002), the central thesis developed is that the apophatic “way” is not simply an optional approach to spirituality as typically conceived rather it represents a distinct and essential principle (subtractive) and type of personality change (transformist). This article discusses the meaning of subtractive transformational change in light of recent thinking on the multiple therapeutic actions of psychodynamicaly informed therapy (Gabbard & Westen, 2003). The article commends the systematic inclusion of this principle and type of change into models of psychotherapy and spiritual formation concerned with moral character (virtue) development. Third, this article briefly overviews a specific moral motive approach that follows in Part 3.
Emotion and Transformation in the Relational Spirituality Paradigm Part 3. Amoral Motive Analysis
Authors: Leffel G. Michael
Published: February 2018

Meaning-system analyses presently dominate the literature on religious conversion and spiritual transformation (Paloutzian & Park, 2005). To complement (not contradict) meaning-system analyses this three-article series proposes the construction of a new approach to the study of the affective basis of spiritual transformation, moral motive analysis. The objective of this final article is to outline a specific moral motive analysis of transformation, a “social intuitionist” (Haidt, 2001) approach that both complements and elaborates the theological tradition of orthokardia (Runyon, 1998). This article first summarizes the central hermeneutic and defining features of orthodardia, and then relates them to concepts in contemporary moral motivation theory. Second, following the Murphy-MacIntyrean framework (telos, problem, purpose), it proposes three core postulates concerning the role of moral emotions in spiritual transformation: moral telos as emerging love and the capable character; moral problem as the duplicitous heart and diminished capacity to love; and moral process as implicit relational transformation. Collectively, these postulates delineate an approach to relational affect transformation (virtue-acquisition and vice-diminishment) that is consistent with the sensibilities of Aristotelean virtue ethics (MacIntyre, 1984), contemporary moral motive theory (Emmons & McCullough, 2004), and the apophatic approach to change (Jones, 2002), thus providing a metapsychology of implicit relational spirituality for theory, research, and practice.
The 16PF and Marital Satisfaction Inventory as Predictors of Missionary Job Success
Authors: Cousineau Amy E. , Hall M. Elizabeth Lewis , Rosik Christopher H. , Hall Todd W.
Published: February 2018

The present study evaluated the 16PF and Marital Satisfaction Inventory (MSI) in terms of their ability to predict missionary success, as measured by supervisor evaluations and attrition data. A sample of 158 missionary candidates from a large, evangelical mission agency completed the 16PF and the MSI as part of the application process to become career missionaries. The supervisor's recommendations for return to the team were positively correlated with group-orientation on the 16PF. Attrition was negatively correlated with the trait of enthusiasm on the 16PF. Job performance was positively correlated with the trait of group-orientation on the 16PF and negatively correlated with marital distress and dissatisfaction with time spent together on the MSI. Job satisfaction was positively correlated with the traits of being cool and reserved, and conservative on the 16PF.
Clinical Practice with Religious/Spiritual Issues: Niche, Proficiency or Specialty
Authors: Hathaway William L.
Published: February 2018

The process of specialty recognition in professional psychology has become increasingly formalized in recent years. The American Psychological Association (APA) now formally defines and recognizes specialties in psychology and organizations such as the American Board of Professional Psychology have repositioned themselves as specialist credentialing bodies. A process model of specialization is presented with increasing levels of specialization arranged from more generalized to more specialized as follows: nonspecialized general practice, niche practice, proficiency, and formal specialty practice. The distinction between de facto and de jure recognition of specialty practice is discussed. It is argued that clinical work with religious/spiritual issues (RSI) already constitutes a practice niche and that numerous de facto proficiencies have been developed for this niche. The prospects and challenges for more formal specialty recognition of the domain of practice are discussed. The article concludes by briefly considering the relationship of “Christian counseling” to a possible formal specialty in clinical work with religious/spiritual issues.
Diversity and the God Image: Examining Ethnic Differences in the Experience of God for a College-Age Population
Authors: Hoffman Louis , Hoffman John L. , Dillard Kei , Clark Jessica , Acoba Reyno , Williams Fred , Jones Tiffany T.
Published: February 2018

This study examined ethnic group differences in the emotional experience of God for a college-age population. The researchers collected in-depth demographic data and administered the God Image Scales (GIS) and a series of attachment inventories with a sample of 211 college students. Using three levels of factor analysis, the researchers uncovered significant differences between White and non-White cohorts in their experience of God and in the influence of various factors including religiosity, spirituality, age, and having received psychotherapy. Additional results have implications for the interrelationship of models for the God image, faith development, ethnic identity development, and clinical practice.
Beliefs about Life-After-Death, Psychiatric Symptomology and Cognitive Theories of Psychopathology
Authors: Flannelly Kevin J. , Ellison Christopher G. , Galek Kathleen , Koenig Harold G.
Published: February 2018

The present study examined the association between mental health and pleasant and unpleasant beliefs about life-after-death, using data from a national web-based survey of U.S. adults. Regression analyses were conducted on five pleasant and two unpleasant afterlife beliefs using six classes of psychiatric symptoms as dependent variables: anxiety, depression, obsessioncompulsion, paranoid ideation, social anxiety and somatization. As hypothesized, pleasant afterlife beliefs were associated with better, and unpleasant beliefs were associated with poorer mental health, controlling for age, gender, education, race, income and marital status, social support, prayer and church attendance. The results are discussed in the context of cognitive theories of psychopathology and psychotherapy that propose that many psychiatric symptoms are caused and moderated by beliefs about the dangerousness of, or threat of harm posed by, various situations. Suggestions are made for future research that differentiates between psychiatric symptoms that may be influenced to varying degrees by cognitive input, and therefore beliefs.
The Emotional Burden of Monotheism: Satan, Theodicy, and Relationship with God
Authors: Beck Richard , Taylor Sara
Published: February 2018

The thesis of this research was that belief in Satan helps Christian believers attenuate ambivalent feelings about God in the face of painful life events. Two questions were examined. First, are robust notions of Satan associated with more positive feelings toward God? Second, are robust notions of Satan associated with blaming God less for the pain and suffering inherent in human existence? In study 1 robust notions of Satan did predict more positive experiences with God. In study 2 robust notions of Satan were manifested by participants who were less likely to blame God for the pain and suffering in the world. These trends were consistent with the experimental predictions suggesting that belief in Satan may be functioning as an attributional category to reduce theodic blame toward God.
Theologically-Informed Education about Masturbation: A Male Sexual Health Perspective
Authors: Kwee Alex W. , Hoover David C.
Published: February 2018

The Bible presents no clear theological ethic on masturbation, leaving many young unmarried Christians with confusion and guilt around their sexuality. Moreover, with only a sin-based vocabulary for discussing masturbation, those with compulsive masturbation patterns are apt to avoid disclosing problems because of shame and thus risk escalating in compulsivity. We present a discursive educational approach for talking to college-aged Christian men about masturbation. Utilizing theological, psychological and sociological perspectives, this approach equips college-aged Christian men with the knowledge and critical thinking ability to work out an informed personal position on masturbation. We consider these perspectives followed by preventive and therapeutic implications for young men dealing with the early stages of sexual compulsivity.
“Are you afraid to die?” Religion and Death Attitudes in an Adolescent Sample
Authors: Dezutter Jessie , Luyckx Koen , Hutsebaut Dirk
Published: February 2018

The purpose of this study was to provide an in-depth examination of the relationship between religion and death attitudes. First, we investigated whether the results found in previous research on adults could be generalized to adolescents. Second, we implemented a person-centered approach in studying this relationship. Questionnaires assessing death attitudes and religious attitudes were completed by 213 adolescents in a secularized country. Results from hierarchical regression analyses were in line with previous findings on adults, confirming our hypothesis that the link between religious attitudes and death attitudes is important during diverse stages of the life span. Furthermore, cluster analysis was used to investigate naturally occurring profiles of death attitudes in order to offer a qualitative refinement as compared to the commonly used variable-centered approach. A meaningful 3-cluster solution (i.e., Natural Process, Acceptance, and Anxiety) was retained and each cluster was characterized by its own unique scores on religious attitudes. Limitations concerning the generalization of the conclusions are discussed.
The New Exodus: A Narrative Paradigm for Understanding Soul Care
Authors: DeGroat Charles R.
Published: February 2018

A consensus exists among biblical scholars that the original Exodus event became paradigmatic for Israel's later self-identity. Isaiah, among other Old Testament writers, made extensive use of Exodus language re-framed for his context. In the New Testament, Jesus is the New Joshua who breaks the chains of slavery once and for all. St. Paul makes it quite clear that this is nothing less than a New Exodus. However, this narrative may be faithfully appropriated in a contemporary context, and with particular relevance to soul care. With rising interest in narrative theology, as well as narrative approaches to psychotherapy, it is worth considering whether a kind of master narrative—The New Exodus—might provide conceptual space in which theologians and psychologists can explore the enduring question of how people change.
Exploring Christians’ Explicit Attachment to God Representations: The Development of a Template for Assessing Attachment to God Experiences
Authors: Proctor Marie-Therese , Miner Maureen , McLean Loyola , Devenish Stuart , Bonab Bagher Ghobary
Published: February 2018

Assessment of attachment to God (ATG) has generally focused on tapping the construct via self-report measures. Little, if any attention has been paid to assessing ATG via independent ratings of Christians’ relationship with God narratives, obtained at interview. The current study addressed this deficit. It documents the development of a template for assessing Christians’ relationship with God narratives for specific ATG experiences. Three theoretically-derived ATG profiles, labeled as secure-autonomous, insecure-anxious/preoccupied and insecure-dismissing ATG were operationally defined as a series of relational markers. Thirty-one Christians participated in a God Attachment Interview Schedule (GAIS), a semi-structured interview which taps Christians’ past and present relationship with God experiences. Participants’ narratives were analyzed using the template, this revealing relational evidence supportive of the hypothesized relational markers. Validation of the template is an important milestone in the development of a scoring protocol to assign an overall ATG profile based on the narrated experiences of Christians.
The Dedication to the Sacred (DS) Scale: Adapting a Marriage Measure to Study Relational Spirituality
Authors: Davis Don E. , Worthington Everett L. , Hook Joshua N. , Van Tongeren Daryl R.
Published: February 2018

We describe the development of the Dedication to the Sacred Scale (DS). The measure was created to test a model of relational spirituality and forgiveness. Items from a measure of commitment in couples (Stanley & Markman, 1992) were adapted to assess a victim's dedication to a relationship with the Sacred. In Study 1 (N = 171), confirmatory factor analysis revealed good fit to a single-factor model. We removed poor items and replicated the factor structure on an independent sample in Study 2 (N = 201). In Study 3 (N = 134), the five-item DS showed evidence of construct validity. It was positively related to religious commitment and uncorrelated with social desirability. The DS predicted forgiveness after the variance from religious commitment, desecration, and offender's spiritual and human similarity were removed. Those who viewed the Sacred as a personal being had higher scores than those who viewed the Sacred as impersonal.
A Butterfly Effect: The Impact of Marriage and Family Therapy Training on Students’ Spouses
Authors: Dahl Carla M. , Jensen Mary L. , Mccampbell Jane L.
Published: February 2018

This qualitative study examines the impact of marriage and family therapy (MFT) training on the marriages of trainees. Analysis of data from 18 spouses of alumni from a training program in an evangelical Protestant seminary found participants reporting mostly negative impacts related to time and finances, both negative and positive impacts related to role changes and adjustments, and mostly positive impacts related to marital communication. The additional contribution of this study has to do with the report of an overwhelmingly positive impact of systemic, integrative MFT training on the student's faith as observed by their spouse and on the spouse's own faith.
Quest and Spiritual Development Moderated by Spiritual Transformation
Authors: Sandage Steven J. , Jankowski Peter J. , Link Deborah C.
Published: February 2018

A relational model of spirituality and transformation (Shults & Sandage, 2006; Sandage & Shults, 2007) based on the dialectic of spiritual dwelling and seeking (Wuthnow, 1998) was tested in a sample of Christian graduate seminary students (N = 181). Spiritual dwelling was operationalized using a developmental measure of realistic acceptance (RA)(Hall & Edwards, 2002), and spiritual seeking was measured with the Quest Scale (Batson & Schoenrade, 1991a, 1991b). Results included modest positive correlations between Quest and Spiritual Instability, Spiritual Disappointment, and Mental Health Symptoms and modest negative correlations between both RA and Mental Health Symptoms. The report of a recent spiritual transformation moderated the curvilinear relationship between Quest and RA supporting the relational spirituality model. Implications are considered for future research on dialectical understandings of spiritual development and for training programs in the helping professions.
Spirituality, Religion, and Work Values
Authors: Duffy Ryan D.
Published: February 2018

The current study explored the relation of intrinsic religiousness and spirituality to work values with a sample of undergraduate college students (N = 265). Each of these constructs was found to weakly correlate with the value of influence, and spirituality weakly-moderately correlated with valuing service and meaning. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that the relations among these variables were substantially moderated by gender. For males, higher levels of spirituality moderately related to valuing influence and service whereas for females no significant relations existed among these constructs. It is proposed that spirituality and religiousness may have only a minor relation to the work values assessed in this study, but these connections may be stronger for men. Researchers and counselors are encouraged to continue to examine how a client's spiritual or religious beliefs may affect what they desire out of their career.
Denominational Support for Clergy Mental Health
Authors: Trihub Bobby L. , Mcminn Mark R. , Buhrow William C. , Johnson Thomas F.
Published: February 2018

To date, minimal research has addressed the actual services provided to maintain the mental health of leadership in the church. Three major Protestant denominations were consulted with in this study, including a total of 434 pastors across the United States. Among these three denominations, a range of services are now being offered to support clergy, with services such as time off, prayer support groups, and clergy retreats among the most valued, adequately provided, and utilized. Still, clergy do not see the provision of services as fully adequate, and report a number of obstacles to utilizing services. Generally, the most highly rated obstacle was financial limitations, followed by difficulty getting time off and concerns about confidentiality. Recommendations offered by clergy respondents are provided.
The Role of Suffering in Human Flourishing: Contributions from Positive Psychology, Theology, and Philosophy
Authors: Hall M. Elizabeth Lewis , Langer Richard , Mcmartin Jason
Published: February 2018

Should alleviating suffering always be the primary goal in treatment? This paper proposes that suffering can best be understood in the context of the flourishing life, from the intersecting vantage points of positive psychology, philosophy of theology. We further argue that in this context, we can articulate a role for suffering. Suffering can be understood as a marker of disordered living, a means of cultivating characteristics that are essential to the flourishing life, or an opportunity for worldview orientation. In sum, the role of suffering is not to endure it for its own sake, but for the sake of cultivating the flourishing life. Finally, we will consider some implications of this conceptualization for the practice of therapy.
Including God in Psychotherapy: Strong Vs. Weak Theism
Authors: Slife Brent D. , Stevenson Tiffani D. , Wendt Dennis C.
Published: February 2018

The authors first attempt to conceptualize theistic psychotherapy by discussing the relationship between theism and naturalism. Many psychologists have assumed that naturalism and theism can be combined in various ways, so the authors review the more prominent of these combinations at the outset. They argue not only that these mixtures are “weak” (i.e., they restrain God in some way) but also that they ultimately assume naturalism is incompatible in many ways with theism. The authors compare “weak” theism with a “strong” theism that does not restrain God or rely on naturalistic assumptions. This comparison is elaborated by distinguishing a published example of strongly theistic psychotherapy from three common types of weakly theistic psychotherapy, with corresponding examples from the theistic literature.
Exploring Spiritual Formation in the Christian Academy: The Dialects of Church, Culture, and the Larger Integrative Task
Authors: Rhea Rob
Published: February 2018

The university in general, and the Christian university in particular, are contexts of radical change. Traditional university students are growing physically, emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually at a rate that may never happen again over the course of their lives. This article will seek to help the reader better understand “emerging adults,” describe the unique setting of the Christian academy, and highlight specific areas where Christian higher education leadership should have a clear understanding and focused priorities. An underlying assumption is that the Christian university is a context of imitation and immersion: a powerful and rich moral community (Hill, 2009; Stark, 1996). The article will begin by establishing how language and culture are related, and sociolinguistics can serve as a convenient framework for exploring spiritual formation within the context of higher education. This is followed by a general exploration of the emerging adult demographic. The majority of the essay will focus on the two “dialects” of effective student formation on the Christian university campus: the language of the church and the language of the culture. First, the language of the church will focus on identity formation and growing in wisdom toward the larger goal of spiritual formation. Second, the culture section will look to define culture and worldview, understand culture as text, recognize the orienting, replicating and “EPIC” nature of culture, and finally explore the imago Dei and natural theology as common ground for a Christian engagement within the broader culture. Last, the article will conclude with an exploration of the particular challenges the Christian academy faces in the integrative task. The larger topic of integration will be introduced followed by a discussion of epistemology in light of the postmodern influence. The article will conclude with a reminder that all Christian academic endeavor must be done for the glory of God.
The Multidimensional Structure of the Quest Construct
Authors: Edwards Keith J. , Hall Todd W. , Slater Will , Hill Jonathan
Published: February 2018

The study of religious motivation has been an important area of research in the psychology of religion since Allport and Ross (1967) developed their measure of intrinsic/extrinsic religion. Batson (1976) expanded the model of religious motivation by proposing the quest construct and its measurement with the Interactional Scale. Two additional measures of quest were developed by Altemeyer and Hunsberger (1992) and Dudley and Cruise (1990). Questions have been raised about the reliability and validity of the quest construct and its measures. The present study investigates the dimensionality and convergence of three measures of quest using a sample of 1200 undergraduates from nine Christian liberal arts colleges. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses identified five quest dimensions. The correlations of the five quest dimensions with several measures of religious functioning and religious fundamentalism were examined. Differences across four college classes on the quest dimensions were also tested. The three quest measures converged on two dimensions labeled Belief Change Expected and Doubts Value. These dimensions were uncorrelated with measures of God awareness and religious well-being and negatively correlated with religious fundamentalism. The three other dimensions identified were unique to one of the measures. The dimension regarding existential questions was not well sampled by our pool of items. The dimensions Reason versus Faith and Religion as Quest were correlated negatively with God awareness and religious well-being as well as religious fundamentalism. The quest dimensions of change and doubt are core facets of Batson's original formulation and our results validate these two dimensions of his model. Measurement of the questions dimension requires further development. The validity and utility of the other two dimensions as aspects of quest will require further investigation.