bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neighborhood Socioeconomic Status and Outcomes Following the Norwood Procedure: An Analysis of the Pediatric Heart Network Single Ventricle Reconstruction Trial Public Data Set
Authors: Bucholz Emily M. , Sleeper Lynn A. , Newburger Jane W.
Published: February 2018

Background

Children with single ventricle heart disease require frequent interventions and follow‐up. Low socioeconomic status (
SES
) may limit access to high‐quality care and place these children at risk for poor long‐term outcomes.

Methods and Results

Data from the
SVR
(Pediatric Heart Network Single Ventricle Reconstruction Trial Public Use) data set were used to examine the relationship of US neighborhood
SES
with 30‐day and 1‐year mortality or cardiac transplantation and length of stay among neonates undergoing the Norwood procedure (n=525). Crude rates of death or transplantation at 1 year after Norwood were highest for patients living in neighborhoods with low
SES
(lowest tertile 37.0% versus middle tertile 31.0% versus highest tertile 23.6%,
P
=0.024). After adjustment for patient demographics, birth characteristics, and anatomy, patients in the highest
SES
tertile had significantly lower risk of death or transplant than patients in the lowest
SES
tertile (hazard ratio 0.62, 95% confidence interval, 0.40, 0.96). When
SES
was examined continuously, the hazard of 1‐year death or transplant decreased steadily with increasing neighborhood
SES
. Hazard ratios for 30‐day transplant‐free survival and 1‐year transplant‐free survival were similar in magnitude. There were no significant differences in length of stay following the Norwood procedure by
SES
.

Conclusions

Low neighborhood
SES
is associated with worse 1‐year transplant‐free survival after the Norwood procedure, suggesting that socioeconomic and environmental factors may be important determinants of outcome in critical congenital heart disease. Future studies should investigate aspects of
SES
and environment amenable to intervention.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
>
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00115934.
Neopterin Counters Vascular Inflammation and Atherosclerosis
Authors: Shirai Remina , Sato Kengo , Yamashita Tomoyuki , Yamaguchi Maho , Okano Taisuke , Watanabe‐Kominato Kaho , Watanabe Rena , Matsuyama Taka‐aki , Ishibashi‐Ueda Hatsue , Koba Shinji , Kobayashi Youichi , Hirano Tsutomu , Watanabe Takuya
Published: February 2018

Background

Neopterin, a metabolite of GTP, is produced by activated macrophages and is abundantly expressed within atherosclerotic lesions in human aorta and carotid and coronary arteries. We aimed to clarify the influence of neopterin on both vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis, as neither effect had been fully assessed.

Methods and Results

We investigated neopterin expression in coronary artery lesions and plasma from patients with coronary artery disease. We assessed the atheroprotective effects of neopterin in vitro using human aortic endothelial cells, human monocyte‐derived macrophages, and human aortic smooth muscle cells. In vivo experiments included a study of aortic lesions in apolipoprotein E–deficient mice. Neopterin expression in coronary artery lesions and plasma was markedly increased in patients with versus without coronary artery disease. In human aortic endothelial cells, neopterin reduced proliferation and
TNF
‐α (tumor necrosis factor α)–induced upregulation of MCP‐1 (monocyte chemotactic protein 1), ICAM‐1 (intercellular adhesion molecule 1), and VCAM‐1 (vascular cell adhesion molecule 1). Neopterin attenuated
TNF
‐α–induced monocyte adhesion to human aortic endothelial cells and the inflammatory macrophage phenotype via NF‐κB (nuclear factor‐κB) downregulation. Neopterin suppressed oxidized low‐density lipoprotein–induced foam cell formation associated with
CD
36 downregulation and upregulation of
ATP
‐binding cassette transporters A1 and G1 in human monocyte‐derived macrophages. In human aortic smooth muscle cells, neopterin suppressed angiotensin
II
–induced migration and proliferation via c‐Src/Raf‐1/
ERK
1/2 downregulation without inducing apoptosis. Exogenous neopterin administration and endogenous neopterin attenuation with its neutralizing antibody for 4 weeks retarded and promoted, respectively, the development of aortic atherosclerotic lesions in apolipoprotein E–deficient mice.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that neopterin prevents both vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis and may be induced to counteract the progression of atherosclerotic lesions. Consequently, neopterin could be of use as a novel therapeutic target for atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases.
On the morphometric identity of populations of Helicotylenchus pseudorobustus (Steiner, 1914) Golden, 1956 (Tylenchida: Hoplolaimidae)
Authors: Fortuner Renaud , Louis Pierre-Yves , Geniet Dominique
Published: February 2018

Helicotylenchus microlobus is considered to be a junior synonym of H. pseudorobustus by several authors while others consider it as valid. To clarify the status of both species, 39 samples collected from various countries were subjected to statistical analyses that showed they could be grouped into six groups. Topotypes of H. pseudorobustus and H. microlobus belong to two different groups. However, samples in the other groups were morphologically intermediate between these two groups. Characters used in the past to uphold the validity of H. microlobus were variable and overlapping from group to group. The 28 samples studied are identified as H. pseudorobustus. Helicotylenchus microlobus, H. bradys and H. phalerus are confirmed as junior synonyms of H. pseudorobustus. There was no complete congruence between the morphological groups and molecular groups proposed by other authors. For these, two MOTU (Molecular Operational Taxonomic Unit) are accepted within H. pseudorobustus.
Studies on the morphology of Macrolaimus arboreus Truskova & Eroshenko, 1977 (Rhabditida: Chambersiellidae) from Iran
Authors: Shokoohi Ebrahim , Panahi Hadi , Fourie Hendrika , Abolafia Joaquín
Published: February 2018

A population of Macrolaimus arboreus was collected from the rhizosphere of pine in Iran. This population of M. arboreus is characterised by the body length, 800-1010 μm in females, lip region with six seta-like papillae directed anteriad, stoma nearly as long as wide (9-11 × 7 μm), with cheilostom slightly longer than gymnostom and cheilorhabdia and gymnorhabdia well-developed, pharyngeal corpus 1.8-2.0 times the isthmus length, with slightly swollen metacorpus, excretory pore located at isthmus level, female reproductive system monodelphic-prodelphic reflexed with short post-vulval uterine sac, female tail conical (57-67 μm, c = 13.7-15.0, c′ = 3.5-3.8), ending in an acute tip which is weakly curved dorsad, and phasmids at 54-60% of tail length. Measurements and illustrations, including SEM, are provided.
A new species of the genus Humphaplotropis from China (Orthoptera: Pamphagidae, Pamphaginae)
Authors: SHI JIAN-PING , YIN ZHAN , DAI LI
Published: February 2018

A new species of the genus Humphaplotropis Xiao et al, 2013, i.e. Humphaplotropis tongbaishanensis sp. nov. is described from Henan province, China in this paper. The new species is allied Humphaplotropis xiai Zhi, Shi & Dai, 2015, but differs from latter by tegmina of male short, not reaching the hind margin of 1st abdominal tergite; base of cercus not narrow in male; epiphallus with disperse spikes, ancorae broad, both posterior projections shorter than median projection; length of subgenital plate larger than width in female and Krauss` organ of female with 20 keels. The genus Humphaplotropis Xiao et al, 2013 is a valid genus and not a synonym of Haplotropis Saussure, 1888. Type specimens are deposited in Shanghai Entomological Museum, C.A.S., Shanghai China.
New species and records of Cladiopsocus Roesler (Psocodea: ‘Psocoptera’: Psocomorpha: Cladiopsocidae) from Colombia
Authors: OBANDO RANULFO GONZÁLEZ , ALDRETE ALFONSO N. GARCÍA , CARREJO NANCY
Published: February 2018

Thirteen species of Cladiopsocus Roesler, from the Colombian departments of Caquetá, Chocó, Magdalena, Nariño, Norte de Santander and Putumayo are here described and illustrated. New records of eight described species of Cladiopsocus, from the departments of Caquetá, Cauca, Quindío and Valle del Cauca are included. The number of species in the genus is increased to 41, of which 27 are Colombian. An updated identification key to the males of the genus is included, as well as a map of species distribution.
Two new species of Eucosmini from the Bahamas (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)
Authors: GILLIGAN TODD M. , MATTHEWS DEBORAH L. , MILLER JACQUELINE Y.
Published: February 2018

Recent surveys to document the poorly known moth fauna of the Bahamas have resulted in the collection of more than 60 morphospecies of Tortricidae. Among these are several Eucosmini, including undescribed representatives of Eucosma and Pelochrista that are similar to several species present in the southeastern United States. Eucosma bahamae, sp.n., a member of the E. refusana group, and Pelochrista wrighti, sp.n., a member of the P. canana group, are described and illustrated.
Democracy and public communication: A Durkheimian lens on Habermas
Authors: Møen Atle
Published: February 2018

The article proposes a comparison of Durkheim’s and Habermas’s views about public communication and democratic deliberation. They seem to share an understanding that democratic deliberation requires support from the public sphere. Nonetheless, Durkheim believed that rational public communication must gain strength from ceremonies, whereas Habermas essentially focused on communicative rationality and rational discourse within the public sphere. The article thus asks whether Habermas’s theory of rational discourse implies a rationalist fallacy, largely because he offers no plausible explanation of the way in which social actors are emotionally motivated to participate in rational discourses, rather than resorting to violence and manipulation. Could Durkheim’s view about public communication, and its need to gather strength from collective ceremonies and collective sentiments, resolve this theoretical conundrum in that Durkheim’s view is complementary to Habermas’s?
Lying, Liars, and Lies: Incivility in 2016 Presidential Candidate and Campaign Tweets During the Invisible Primary
Authors: Kenski Kate , Filer Christine R. , Conway-Silva Bethany A.
Published: February 2018

Incivility is a growing concern among Americans and a burgeoning topic of scholarly research. The current study investigates the extent to which incivility via lying accusations was present in major party candidate and campaign expressions on Twitter during the invisible primary season preceding the 2016 presidential election. All tweets on verified major party candidate and campaign Twitter feeds were collected from March 5, 2015 through December 31, 2015 ( N = 66,463). The collection of candidate tweets included 6 Democrats and 18 Republicans. While lying accusations were infrequent, they occurred 109 times over the preprimary period. The Republican candidates were more likely to make lying accusations than were the Democratic candidates. This was driven in large part by the candidacy of Donald Trump.
Workshop problem-solving for improved student engagement and increased learning in Engineering Control
Authors: Twigg Peter , Ponnapalli Prasad , Fowler Margaret
Published: February 2018

Study of Engineering Control is often perceived by students as highly complex and a difficult hurdle to pass. The authors of this paper were prompted to propose changes to the teaching of a final year control unit of a BEng (Hons) Degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering after numerous students had expressed concern about their ability to be successful in this subject. The average exam grade had also been low for several years. Teaching previously had been didactic in nature, based on lectures, predefined laboratory exercises and tutorial sessions. Use of appropriate-based workshop study sessions can lead to higher levels of attainment and development, and student perception is that the experience is informal, engaging but appropriately challenging. A series of workshop sessions were introduced into term two of the unit teaching over a period of several weeks. Students worked individually on learning improvement activities, within cooperative groups in an informal workshop environment. The tasks set to the students were challenging and designed to improve general skills in Control, and students were encouraged to explore further areas that interested them. Results presented in this paper describe an improvement in student engagement, confidence in exam preparation and communication of learning measured by grades since the introduction of the workshop sessions, and improved feedback from students. The workshop sessions were integrated into the teaching scheme rather than being elective and did not require any additional timetable sessions.
An insight into frequency and predictors leading psychiatric patients to visit faith healers: A hospital-based cross-sectional survey, Karachi, Pakistan
Authors: Khoso Aneeta , Soomro Rafiq Ahmed , Quraishy Ayesha Muquim , Khan Hammad Ali , Ismail Saba , Nazaz Mehrunnisa , Younus Sana , Zainab Saima
Published: February 2018

Background:

Psychiatric illnesses have recently escalated in numbers, with patients resorting to various forms of healthcare providers, including faith healers. This delays early psychiatric treatment, resulting in further mental health deterioration of the patient. Various factors impact the mode of treatment preferred by psychiatric patients.

Aims:

To determine the frequency of psychiatric patients visiting faith healers, presenting at the outpatient department of Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, and to explore the predictors that direct them toward visiting faith healers.

Methods:

This cross-sectional survey was conducted using a semi-structured pre-tested questionnaire, employing a total of 219 male and female psychiatric patients. Patients were recruited through non-random consecutive sampling technique. SPSS 18 was used for statistical analysis.

Results:

About 32% of the patients had visited a faith healer in their lifetime. Frequency of current visitors declined; the most frequent reason being stated was no relief from their treatment. Students, patients of upper middle class and those coming for initial visit to a psychiatrist were more likely to visit a faith healer. Patients who knew of someone previously visiting a faith healer were less likely to have visited a faith healer.

Conclusion:

This study highlights the importance of a multisectoral approach to dealing with psychiatric patients to help in bridging the treatment gap in mental health.
New findings from conflict archives
Authors: Balcells Laia , Sullivan Christopher M
Published: February 2018

As they pursue information and deploy violence during conflict, combatants compose, catalog, and preserve a wide variety of records, such as memos, investigative reports, and communiqués. In an increasing number of post-conflict scenarios, these records are being archived and released publicly, quickly becoming a critical new source of data for studies of peace and conflict. The objective of this special issue is to advance a new research agenda focused on the systematic analysis of conflict archives. The contributors each spent significant time collecting original data from often-dusty archives and, in many cases, developed new methodologies for sampling, cataloging, and analyzing historical documents. Their findings reveal how violence simultaneously shapes and is shaped by factors that remain largely unobservable using more conventional sources of conflict data, including clandestine mobilization, bureaucratic accountability, and political identities. By considering these studies in relation to one another, this introduction aims to provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of field research strategies and analytical techniques for studying original data from conflict archives. We conclude that while archival data are subject to their own biases that must be considered, this research agenda addresses significant limitations associated with traditional data sources and, in turn, pushes scholars to rethink many of the mechanisms underlying the causes and dynamics of peace and conflict.
College Students' Perceptions of Spiritual People and Religious People
Authors: Cook Stephen W. , Borman Patricia D. , Moore Martha A. , Kunkel Mark A.
Published: February 2018

There is great variation regarding the concepts of religiosity and spirituality in the psychology of religion literature. In an attempt to clarify these constructs in the general population, 16 college students were recruited for a task of concept mapping to elicit their perceptions of what the designations spiritual person and religious person mean. Many positive character traits were used to describe both religious and spiritual people. However, participants described spiritual people with an emphasis on intellectual activities and inner peace, placing less emphasis on external, physical characteristics than their descriptions of religious people. Broader dimensions underlying participants' descriptions are also discussed.
A Winnicottian Redescription of Christian Spiritual Direction Relationships: Illustrating the Potential Contribution of Psychology of Religion to Christian Spiritual Practice
Authors: Hardy Douglas S.
Published: February 2018

The contemporary Christian spiritual direction literature and the psychoanalytic object relations theory of D. W. Winnicott share an emphasis on facilitating relationships. A closer examination, however, reveals important differences in the value each places on human helpers. An undervaluing of the dynamics of the relationship between the directee and the spiritual director, relative to the relationship between the director and God, is problematic and can benefit from a Winnicottian redescription in which direction is characterized as unfolding in what Winnicott calls “transitional space” and “potential space.” Directors are encouraged to be particularly attentive to each directee's unique, unfolding developmental needs; facilitate ongoing transitions; and nurture various forms of experiencing as they emerge in the process of direction. The method for arriving at these conclusions illustrates how the psychology of religion can contribute to the study of Christian spirituality.
Mental Health Needs and Resources in Christian Communities of South Korea
Authors: McMinn Mark R. , Hun Roh Sang , McMinn Lisa G. , Dominguez Amy W. , Rhee Eunnie R. , Boheon Maurina Anne , Kim Eunsil , Rutter Marie-Christine , Kyuman Chae Paul
Published: February 2018

In an effort to understand the mental health needs and resources of Korean Christians, we collected quantitative and qualitative data through surveys and interviews with Korean pastors and Christian educators. Several mental health concerns were identified: the high level of daily stress faced by many Koreans, marriage and family concerns, conflicts between Korean culture and the teachings of the church, and a tendency to keep emotional discomfort suppressed. Mental health resources include deep spiritual commitment to a life of prayer, high levels of commitment to family and community, cultural values of persistence and patience, and reliance on Christian communities for spiritual hope and meaningful interpersonal relationships.
Natural Moral Sense as Basis for Professional Ethics: An Important Proposal but Unlikely to Produce Excellence
Authors: Tjeltveit Alan C.
Published: February 2018

Psychologists' neglect of the very important basis for professional ethics and other ethical dimensions of psychology can be overcome, in part, by Hathaway's (2001) proposal to ground ethics, not on certain foundations provided by reason, but on natural moral sense. Strengths of this approach are discussed, including a qualified ethical realism and attention to nature and embodied ethical practice. Problems include: the extent to which it is legitimate to talk about a “natural” moral sense; a neglect of the cultural and historical origins of our moral sense; a failure to justify adequately how we can legitimately move from our sense that something is right to establishing that it really is right; a failure to provide a sufficiently substantive intellectual and motivational basis for practice; an invitation to rely on implicit and often problematic ethical assumptions; a failure to take sin seriously enough; and a failure to make room within an ethically pluralistic profession for particular ethical groundings (including those of Christian faith) for ethical practice. An approach to the ethical foundations of practice that builds upon Hathaway's approach, yet avoids its weaknesses, is sketched out briefly.
Intelligent Design Psychology and Evolutionary Psychology: A Comparison of Rival Paradigms
Authors: Moreland J. P.
Published: February 2018

The purpose of this article is to flesh out some details of the ideas at the core of the Intelligent Design movement as they apply to the field of psychology and to compare intelligent design psychology (IDP), specifically, a Christian version of IDP (IDPC), with its chief rival, evolutionary psychology (EP), specifically, a naturalistic version of EP (EPN). After providing some preliminary remarks about scientific research programs and scientific theory assessment, I shall will sketch out some of the details of IDPC and contrast it with EPN. Along the way, I will draw out various explanatory or predictive issues relevant to comparing the two, and provide an occasional critique of EPN.
Paraprofessional Christian Ministries for Sexual Behavior and Same-Sex Identity Concerns
Authors: Yarhouse Mark A. , Burkett Lori A. , Kreeft Elizabeth M.
Published: February 2018

Paraprofessional Christian ministries for sexual behavior and same-sex identity concerns have grown significantly in recent years. Some ministries are affiliated with organizations that have specific standards for affiliation; others are independent. Some emphasize change of sexual orientation; others promote change of behavior and chastity. Some ministries provide services exclusively to homosexuals; others provide resources to homosexuals and heterosexuals alike. This paper reviews similarities and differences among paraprofessional Christian ministries for persons struggling with sexual behaviors and same-sex identity concerns. Similarities and differences are related to (a) mission/vision, (b) view of etiology, (c) method of intervention, (d) format, and (e) definition of success. Christian ministries include Exodus International-affiliated ministries, independent Christian ministries, Homosexuals Anonymous, and Courage. Impressions from the review of the various Christian ministries are also offered, including recommendations for making appropriate referrals.
Spiritual Direction in the Reformed Tradition
Authors: Whitlock Luder G.
Published: February 2018

This article calls attention to the absence of spiritual directors in the Reformed tradition, describing how spiritual guidance or counsel was provided historically as well as noting current practice. From a definition of the practice in the Reformed tradition, it proceeds to describe the role of spiritual guides or companions. A description of the nature and process of spiritual transformation is provided, including the principal characteristics of spiritual maturity. Spiritual direction is distinguished from psychotherapy, and occasions for referral are recognized. Books representing different facets of this subject are recommended.
Integrating Spiritual Direction Functions in the Practice of Psychotherapy
Authors: Sperry Len
Published: February 2018

Recent research and clinical experience suggest that clients are increasingly expecting that psychotherapists will deal with their spiritual concerns that are traditionally addressed in spiritual direction. This expectation has already begun to impact the practice of psychotherapy by increasing interest in the “spiritually-oriented-psychotherapies.” This article proposes that psychotherapy can become more receptive and effective in dealing with spiritual concerns by appropriately incorporating some or many of the functions of spiritual direction. The practice of spiritual direction is first described and compared to pastoral counseling and spiritually-oriented psychotherapy. Then eight functions of spiritual direction are presented and compared to similar “functions” in psychotherapy. Finally, specific recommendations for incorporating these functions into the practice of psychotherapy are discussed.
It Takes a Village to save a Marriage
Authors: Edwards Keith J.
Published: February 2018

Dr. Keith Edwards answers questions that describe his approach to Christian marriage, marital interventions and sociocultural factors in American marriages. Integration issues are presented as well as the current state of research on marriage. He describes his clinical approach to treating distressed couples based on Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy. Specific approaches to improving marriages for communities, churches and therapists are discussed.
The Symbis Approach to Marriage Education
Authors: Parrott Les , Parrott Leslie
Published: February 2018

Questions are answered in relationship to the Parrotts’ work in marriage education and in relationship to a variety of sociocultural factors concerning the condition and treatment of marriage issues in contemporary society. The Parrotts’ SYMBIS approach to pre-marital, neomarital and early marriage education is discussed. In addition, recommendations are made for marital interventions to local community and church leaders as well as marital therapists.
Comments on Marriage in Contemporary Culture: Five Models that might help Families
Authors: Schumm Walter R.
Published: February 2018

Questions are answered in relationship to innovative theoretical models derived primarily from the author's teaching experiences in family theory and methodology. Implications of the models for marital interventions by local community and church leaders as well as marital therapists are discussed.
Problematic Issues in the Early Years of Marriage: Content for Premarital Education
Authors: Risch Gail S. , Riley Lisa A. , Lawler Michael G.
Published: February 2018

This article presents findings about problematic issues from a national study of couples married five years or less. It argues that the top 10 issues identified as problematic suggest key content areas for premarital education and makes suggestions for both program development and existing program evaluation. The top three issues reported by this sample are balancing job and family, frequency of sexual relations, and financial issues. For each of the 10 issues, comparisons by gender, parental status, cohabitation status, and age are also reported.
Students' Perceptions of Jesus' Personality as Assessed by Jungian-Type Inventories
Authors: Howell Susan H.
Published: February 2018

The present study was the first phase of an exploration of college students' perceptions of the personality of Jesus Christ as assessed by two Jungian-type inventories, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (Myers, 1998) and the Keirsey Temperament Sorter II (Keirsey, 1998), which categorize personality along four dimensions: Extraversion/Introversion, Sensing/Intuition, Thinking/Feeling, and Judgment/Perception. Along with an overall exploration of students' perceptions, the present study focused on whether students were likely to make self-based attributions in their perceptions of Jesus' personality. Results indicated that students perceived Jesus to be an Extravert Feeler and made self-based attributions along the Sensing/Intuitive dimension, with 43% perceiving Him to be an Intuitive-Feeler and 37% perceiving Him to be a Sensing-Judger. Perceptions of Jesus as a Judger or Perceiver were divided, with those placing more importance on modeling Jesus more likely to see Him as a Judger, and those placing less importance on modeling Him perceiving Jesus as a Perceiver.
Sexual Identity Development and Synthesis among LGB-Identified and LGB Dis-Identified Persons
Authors: Yarhouse Mark A. , Tan Erica S. N. , Pawlowski Lisa M.
Published: February 2018

What are the key milestone events that facilitate sexual identity among persons who experience same-sex attraction? Do those milestone events lead to one outcome, or are multiple outcomes possible with respect to how sexual identity develops and synthesizes over time? This initial pilot study compared 14 religiously-affiliated persons who integrated their experiences of same-sex attraction into a lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) identity synthesis, with 14 religiously-affiliated persons who dis-identified with a LGB-affirming ideology and pursued an alternative identity synthesis. We identified influences that facilitated an individual identifying with LGB-affirming ideologies and the individuals/subcultures that embrace such ideologies, and influences that facilitated an individual dis-identifying with LGB-affirming ideologies and the individuals/subcultures that embrace such ideologies.
Psychology'S Love–Hate Relationship with Love: Critiques, Affirmations, and Christian Responses
Authors: Tjeltveit Alan C.
Published: February 2018

Christian psychologists’ contributions to understanding love of God and neighbor have fallen far short of their potential. A major reason, I argue, is psychologists’ love–hate relationship with love. Psychologists raise challenging questions about love (or some understandings of love), based on their (usually implicit) ethical intuitions (e.g., that telling battered women to love their abusers harms them). In addition, some understandings of love (e.g., pertaining to obligations, choices, and/or divine action) fit poorly with psychology's natural scientific methods. On the other hand, psychologists conduct research relevant to love and most psychologists seem deeply committed to love. Psychologists thus both critique love (hate it) and affirm it. Multidisciplinary approaches for developing a deeper, more comprehensive understanding of love are discussed.
God as a Secure Base: Attachment to God and Theological Exploration
Authors: Beck Richard
Published: February 2018

This study was an attempt to determine if God might provide a secure base for theological exploration. It was predicted that those displaying secure attachment with God would be more willing to “explore” their theological “world.” Participants were 117 undergraduate students who completed measures of attachment to God, Quest religious motives, and Christian orthodoxy. Overall, the study supported the experimental predictions. Specifically, the participants in the study who saw God as a “Secure Base” were more engaged in theological exploration and were more tolerant of Christian faiths different from their own. These same subjects also reported more peace and less distress during their spiritual journey. Yet, despite their exploration, these participants fully embraced the core doctrines of Christianity. Overall, these results suggest that the attachment paradigm might significantly illuminate research involving religious maturity, apostasy, and religious intolerance.
Theoretical Issues in the Relationship between Psychology and Religion: Some Comments on Reber, Nelson, Slife and Whoolery, and Richardson
Authors: Tan Siang-Yang
Published: February 2018

The article briefly responds to and comments on the four major articles by Reber, Nelson, Slife and Whoolery, and Richardson in this special issue of the Journal of Psychology and Theology. While a substantial case has been made for how secularized and reductionistic psychology is, and how psychology is still greatly influenced by logical positivism and scientism, there is a danger of overstating this case and thus throwing out the baby with thebathwater. A healthy respect for good science in psychology is still valid and possible without succumbing to scientism and logical positivism. Ultimately we need to depend on the Holy Spirit, and the community of the church and its historic traditions, to more fully appropriate truth, including biblical psychospiritual truth.
Slouching toward Integration: Psychoanalysis and Religion in Dialogue
Authors: Strawn Brad D.
Published: February 2018

This article traces the changing relationship between psychoanalysis and religion by paralleling it with the author's own journey of faith and psychology. Contemporary psychoanalytic models (e.g. relational) have evolved, making psychoanalysis more accessible to psychotherapists as well as allowing more meaningful integration with religion. As Relational models have gained prominence, however, some of the gems from earlier models of analysis are in danger of being lost. A case is presented to demonstrate the challenge of not throwing out the “baby with the bathwater” as well as some of the particular difficulties religious therapists may have working with patients.
From Libido to Love: Relational Psychoanalysis and the Redemption of Sexuality
Authors: Hoffman Marie
Published: February 2018

The author presents a case which posits the profound growth potential of relational psychoanalysis when it is grounded in a thoroughly Christian world view. Prefacing the case of Graciella, is a brief overview of pertinent relational and Christian concepts. The movements of this psychoanalysis are then interpreted as composed of three transference cadences: Abandonment and the longing for nurture; Rejection and the plea for acceptance, and Destruction and the survival of the object. Graciella's maturation toward intersubjective relationships, educational and career achievements, and spiritual and artistic formation are chronicled. Verbatim patient interactions as well as patient dreams, poetry and journal entries lend poignancy to the narration.
Christian Clients’ Preferences regarding Prayer as a Counseling Intervention
Authors: Weld Chet , Eriksen Karen
Published: February 2018

Spirituality has increasingly become a consideration for mental health practitioners. As a result, spiritual interventions, including prayer, are now more frequently used in counseling. However, no research has explored Christian clients’ expectations regarding prayer in counseling. This study surveyed first-visit Christian clients and their therapists to ascertain client expectations and therapist beliefs and practices. Analysis with two sample t-tests with unequal variances, one-way analysis of variance, simple linear regression, Pearson correlations, and Fisher's exact tests indicated that (a) 82% of clients desired audible prayer in counseling; (b) they preferred that therapists introduce the subject of prayer; (c) they had strong expectations that prayer would be included in counseling; (d) they wanted counselors to pray for them outside of session; (e) religious conservatives had higher expectations for prayer than did liberals; (f) clients with prior Christian counseling had higher expectations of prayer than did clients without. Research implications are discussed.
Faith-Praxis Integration in Research Design and Statistics
Authors: Poelstra Paul L.
Published: February 2018

Doing integration in research and statistics oriented courses presents unique challenges to faculty. The content of these courses seems far removed from the integration of faith and learning as generally understood in the literature. Faith-praxis integration provides an overarching vision that rises above the content of a given course and impacts many aspects of the educational process for both the faculty member and the student. Developing expertise in research skills becomes a spiritual exercise that has import for the student's motivations, goals and character. For faculty, faith-praxis integration carries implications for how their faith can be lived out in their courses. It will affect interactions with students outside of class as well.
Listening to Sexual Minorities on Christian College Campuses
Authors: Yarhouse Mark A. , Stratton Stephen P. , Dean Janet B. , Brooke Heather L.
Published: February 2018

This study investigated two areas of interest in the literature on sexual minorities: milestone events in sexual identity development and campus climate for sexual minorities in young adulthood. What is unique is that the information is obtained from Christian sexual minorities attending Christian colleges or universities. A sample of 104 undergraduate sexual minority students at three Council of Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) member institutions completed an anonymous online survey. The questionnaire asked sexual minorities for information on their experiences of campus climate as well as perceptions of campus resources, coping activities, and recommendations for campus, religious institutions, and other sexual minorities. Respondents also completed information on milestone events in sexual identity development. The results of the survey are a descriptive analysis of contextualized “voices” that relate a collective story for these representative institutions.
Appreciative Musings on Normative Thoughts, Normative Feelings, Normative Actions
Authors: Pakaluk Michael , Titus Craig Steven , Vitz Paul C. , Moncher Frank J.
Published: February 2018

This article consists of appreciative reflections upon Hoffman and Strawn's article, Normative Thoughts, Normative Feelings, Normative Actions: A Protestant, Relational Psychoanalytic Reply to E. Christian Brugger and the Faculty of the Institute for the Psychological Sciences (IPS). In the article, Hoffman and Strawn, although expressing broad agreement with Brugger, discuss six areas of apparent disagreement. The authors of the present response maintain that, with only a few exceptions, the disagreements are generally not substantive but based on avoidable misunderstandings. Nonetheless, a careful consideration of these disagreements serves to clarify the importance of philosophical anthropology for psychology.
The Unconverted Subconscious in Psychotherapy: Biblical Foundations, Psychological Explorations and Clinical Applications
Authors: Carson David K. , Paolini Herdley , Ziglear Dale , Fox John
Published: February 2018

More than forty years ago the famous Christian missionary to India, E. Stanley Jones, introduced the concept of the unconverted subconscious (UnS). Jones asserted that the UnS was a major reason why Christians sometimes do not grow in their faith, fail miserably in their walk with Christ, and are divisive and even abusive within the Body of Christ. Moreover, he believed that parts of the UnS can contribute to a divided self, psychological disorders, addictive behavior, deep emotional pain, and relational brokenness. However, Jones did not elaborate on how this process works in the human psyche nor specifically the ramifications of the UnS in the life of the believer. In this article we discuss the UnS and its implications for working with Christian and non-Christian clients. We explore the UnS in light of both Scripture and psychology and then provide an overview of our clinical approach.
Can Specific MMPI-2 Scales Predict Treatment Response among Missionaries?
Authors: Rosik Christopher H. , Borisov Natalia I.
Published: February 2018

While the MMPI-2 is unsurpassed in its ability to identify psychopathology and aid in diagnosis and treatment planning, its value in predicting treatment response is less established. We administered the Outcome Questionnaire-45 (Lambert et al., 2004) to a final sample of 112 Christian missionaries on three occasions: pre-treatment, post-treatment, and three month follow up. The sample also completed the MMPI-2 at the pre-treatment assessment. Multiple regression analyses controlling for pre-treatment adjustment and response style (F scale) indicated that only the Depression (DEP) content scale explained significant variance among symptom improvement at post-treatment. In addition, post hoc analyses revealed the Negative Treatment Indicators (Trt) content scale and Paranoia (Pa) clinical scale added significantly to the explanation of treatment outcome at follow up after accounting for pre-treatment adjustment. Missionaries who achieved reliable change at post-treatment had pre-treatment scores that were higher for the Depression (D), Psychasthenia (Pt), Social Inhibition (Si) clinical scales, higher for the DEP, anxiety (ANX), and Trt content scales, and lower for the Correction (K) validity scale and Ego Strength (Es) supplementary scale. At follow up, reliable change was sustained only by missionaries higher in pre-treatment ANX and Trt. These results suggest that although the MMPI-2 may provide some clues in predicting treatment outcomes for missionaries, it should not be used in isolation of other instruments for this purpose.
The Multidimensional Nature of the Quest Construct Forgiveness, Spiritual Perception,& Differentiation of Self
Authors: Holeman Virginia T. , Dean Janet B. , Deshea Lise , Duba Jill D.
Published: February 2018

The study examined relationships between differentiation of self, sacred loss/desecration, and decisional or emotional forgiveness. A convenience sample (N = 437) completed an on-line survey. After controlling for impact of the event, impression management, hurtfulness, and religiousness, sacred loss/desecration partially predicted forgiveness. Sacred loss significantly predicted one measure of emotional forgiveness, and desecration significantly predicted two measures of decisional forgiveness and one measure of emotional forgiveness. Four differentiation of self scales were examined in separate hierarchical regression analyses as predictors of forgiveness, controlling for impact of the event, impression management, and hurtfulness. Each differentiation of self scale significantly predicted reduction of negative emotion, and two differentiation of self scales significantly predicted inhibition of harmful intention. Differentiation of self partially mediated the relationship between sacred loss/desecration and emotional or decisional forgiveness. Implications for clinical practice and future research are considered.
The Effects of a Manualized Group-Psychotherapy Intervention on Client God Images and Attachment to God: A Pilot Study
Authors: Thomas Michael J. , Moriarty Glendon L. , Davis Edward B. , Anderson Elizabeth L.
Published: February 2018

The goal of this pilot study was to examine the effects of an 8-week, manualized, outpatient group-psychotherapy intervention on client god images and attachment to God. Participants were 26 adults who reported a Christian religious affiliation and who sought religiously based, group-psychotherapy treatment for difficulties in their emotional experience of God (i.e., negative god images). The treatment protocol reflected a psychotherapy-integrationist approach to treating god-image difficulties. Treatment chiefly included psychoeducational, dynamic-interpersonal, and cognitive interventions, although it also included allegorical-bibliotherapy and art/music interventions. The pre- and post-test questionnaire included the Attachment to God Inventory (R. Beck & McDonald, 2004) and a brief God adjective-checklist, along with several open-ended questions. Participants reported experiencing adaptive shifts in their god images and attachment to God. Specifically, when pre- and post-questionnaire ratings were compared, they reported experiencing God emotionally as more accepting, intimate, and supportive and as less disapproving, distant, and harsh. In addition, they reported experiencing significantly both less attachment anxiety with God and less attachment avoidance with God. Furthermore, they reported experiencing more congruence between their emotional experience of God (god images) and their theological beliefs about God (god concepts). The interventions that were deemed the most therapeutically effective were the allegorical-bibliotherapy and the cognitive-restructuring interventions. Clinical implications and limitations are discussed.
Integrative Perspectives on Human Flourishing: The Imago Dei and Positive Psychology
Authors: Entwistle David N. , Moroney Stephen K.
Published: February 2018

The field of psychology in general, and clinical psychology in particular, has historically focused on the things that go wrong in human behavior and functioning. Similarly, evangelical theology has traditionally highlighted the problem of sin and its wide-ranging consequences for human beings. Not surprisingly, this state of affairs has led to integrative efforts that concentrate on the darker side of human nature and tend to neglect what is admirable and noble in human nature. A case is made in this article that a more complete view is needed that celebrates humans’ positive features as creatures who bear the image of God, while simultaneously recognizing the pervasiveness of sin and its effects. After reviewing the one-sidedness of past integrative efforts, we suggest several possibilities for relating the image of God to findings within positive psychology, before concluding with some cautions for this new endeavor.
Dis-integrating Psychology and Theology
Authors: Shults F. LeRon
Published: February 2018

This essay explores the dis-integrative dynamics within the ongoing process of relating the disciplines of psychology and theology suggesting that such dissolutive forces can play an important and valuable role in the dialogue. Healthy development requires that we sometimes let things fall apart. The main sections of the article point to the potentially generative power of dis-integrating psychology theology selves and gods. The conclusion addresses the existential fear and desire that often characterize human attempts to hold it all together, i.e., the tasks of “integration” in all its forms.
Where Do We Want to be in 10 Years? towards an Integration Strategy for Clinical Psychologists
Authors: Moriarty Glendon L.
Published: February 2018

This paper evaluates the clinical psychology integration system from a strategic perspective. The integration system is defined as a loose organizational body comprised of academic institutions, journals, publishers, educators, clinicians, and students. Next, the SWOT analysis tool is used to understand the integration system's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. The chief strength is the integration system's financial model and flexibility that allows it to consolidate resources and gradually grow into other domains. The primary weakness is limited diversity especially with regards to age and minority representation. Central opportunities include globalization and technology Threats consist of alternative models of integrating spirituality and psychology that may minimize an authentic Christian voice. Another notable threat includes high tuition costs or what might be more broadly understood as the education bubble. Finally, goals and objectives are outlined that focus on leveraging the integration system's strengths to overcome weaknesses and capitalize on opportunities. Goals primarily focus on making the integration system more diverse and global.
Integration in Three Tenses: A Journey from Separate and Not Equal to Integral and Interwoven
Authors: Moon Gary W.
Published: February 2018

This essay provides a personal reflection on the past, present and future of the modern integration movement. These three lenses provide focus for describing the course of the author's own evolving views concerning five topics deemed to be central to the integrative enterprise: 1) normal curves, 2) invisible things, 3) reductionism and competition, 4) Jesus being real smart; and 5) actual differences vs. turf wars. It is suggested that matters of soul and spirit are integral to understanding the person.