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Cowden RG, Pargament KI, Chen ZJ, Bechara AO. Religious/spiritual struggles and whole person functioning among Colombian university students: Longitudinal evidence of mutual influence. Int J Psychol 2024. [PMID: 38697930 DOI: 10.1002/ijop.13135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
This prospective study examined the primary, secondary and complex conceptual models of religious/spiritual struggles with 18 indicators of whole person functioning across five domains: psychological well-being, psychological distress, social well-being, physical well-being and character. We used three waves of longitudinal data (Wave 1: August/September 2021, Wave 2: October/November 2021, Wave 3: February 2022) from Colombian university students (N = 2878, Mage = 20.88 ± 4.05 years). Adjusting for covariates assessed in Wave 1, our primary analysis applied the analytic templates for outcome-wide and lagged exposure-wide designs to estimate two sets of lagged linear regression models. Religious/spiritual struggles in Wave 2 were associated with a small-to-medium-sized decline in subsequent functioning on 17/18 indicators in Wave 3, and worse functioning on 16/18 indicators in Wave 2 was associated with very small-to-medium-sized increases in subsequent religious/spiritual struggles in Wave 3. The results provided evidence in favour of the complex conceptual model for 16/18 indicators of whole person functioning. Our findings extend existing evidence on the reciprocal association between religious/spiritual struggles and individual functioning to a wide range of indicators, reinforcing the need for practitioners to consider the dynamic interplay between religious/spiritual struggles and individual functioning as they work with younger populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard G Cowden
- Human Flourishing Program, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kenneth I Pargament
- Department of Psychology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, USA
| | - Zhuo Job Chen
- School of Nursing, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA
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Cowden RG, Pargament KI, Wilkinson R. Divine struggles and whole person functioning: a 9-year longitudinal study of middle-aged U.S. adults. Psychol Health 2024:1-18. [PMID: 38311908 DOI: 10.1080/08870446.2024.2309162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This longitudinal study examined the associations of divine struggles with 25 psychological distress, psychological well-being, social well-being, prosociality, physical health, and health behavior outcomes assessed approximately nine years later. METHODS We used three waves of data from the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (N = 4041): M1 (1995-1996), M2 (2004-2006), and M3 (2013-2014). Following the analytic template for outcome-wide longitudinal designs, our primary analysis employed a series of regression models to estimate the associations between a continuous measure of divine struggles assessed at M2 with each outcome assessed at M3. All models adjusted for a rich set of covariates, including prior values of all outcomes. RESULTS There was modest evidence suggesting that divine struggles were associated with worse subsequent functioning on one or more outcomes for each domain except health behaviors (effect sizes were generally very small). CONCLUSIONS Divine struggles have the potential to degrade long-term functioning across multiple domains of life. Practitioners should attend to and address divine struggles in their clinical work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard G Cowden
- Human Flourishing Program, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kenneth I Pargament
- Department of Psychology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, USA
| | - Renae Wilkinson
- Human Flourishing Program, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
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Wilt JA, Exline JJ, Jeong P, Yun D, Takahashi JT, Pargament KI. Imagined Conversations with God during Divine Struggles: Relationships with Global Views of God and Struggle-Specific Interactions. Journal of Spirituality in Mental Health 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/19349637.2022.2065944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua A. Wilt
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Julie J. Exline
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Peter Jeong
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Dorothy Yun
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Joyce T. Takahashi
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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Griffith FJ, Wong S, Dietrich KM, Exline JJ, Pargament KI. ‘The Music was Speaking to Me’: Using Narrative Inquiry to Describe Sacred Moments with Music. The Arts in Psychotherapy 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aip.2022.101911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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Pargament KI. The privilege of teaching: Some lessons learned from over 40 years mentoring graduate students in the clinical psychology of religion and spirituality. Spirituality in Clinical Practice 2022. [DOI: 10.1037/scp0000262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Wilt JA, Exline JJ, Pargament KI. Coping with religious and spiritual struggles: Religious and secular techniques. Spirituality in Clinical Practice 2022. [DOI: 10.1037/scp0000289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Schachter AB, Argentieri MA, Seddighzadeh B, Isehunwa OO, Kent BV, Trevvett P, McDuffie M, Mandel L, Pargament KI, Underwood LG, McCray AT, Shields AE. R|S Atlas: Identifying existing cohort study data resources to accelerate epidemiological research on the influence of religion and spirituality on human health. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e043830. [PMID: 34697108 PMCID: PMC8547361 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-043830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Many studies have documented significant associations between religion and spirituality (R/S) and health, but relatively few prospective analyses exist that can support causal inferences. To date, there has been no systematic analysis of R/S survey items collected in US cohort studies. We conducted a systematic content analysis of all surveys ever fielded in 20 diverse US cohort studies funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to identify all R/S-related items collected from each cohort's baseline survey through 2014. DESIGN An R|S Ontology was developed from our systematic content analysis to categorise all R/S survey items identified into key conceptual categories. A systematic literature review was completed for each R/S item to identify any cohort publications involving these items through 2018. RESULTS Our content analysis identified 319 R/S survey items, reflecting 213 unique R/S constructs and 50 R|S Ontology categories. 193 of the 319 extant R/S survey items had been analysed in at least one published paper. Using these data, we created the R|S Atlas (https://atlas.mgh.harvard.edu/), a publicly available, online relational database that allows investigators to identify R/S survey items that have been collected by US cohorts, and to further refine searches by other key data available in cohorts that may be necessary for a given study (eg, race/ethnicity, availability of DNA or geocoded data). CONCLUSIONS R|S Atlas not only allows researchers to identify available sources of R/S data in cohort studies but will also assist in identifying novel research questions that have yet to be explored within the context of US cohort studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Boonin Schachter
- Harvard/MGH Center on Genomics, Vulnerable Populations, and Health Disparities, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - M Austin Argentieri
- Harvard/MGH Center on Genomics, Vulnerable Populations, and Health Disparities, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- School of Anthropology and Museum Ethnography, Oxford University, Oxford, UK
| | - Bobak Seddighzadeh
- Harvard/MGH Center on Genomics, Vulnerable Populations, and Health Disparities, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- School of Medicine, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
| | - Oluwaseyi O Isehunwa
- Harvard/MGH Center on Genomics, Vulnerable Populations, and Health Disparities, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Blake Victor Kent
- Harvard/MGH Center on Genomics, Vulnerable Populations, and Health Disparities, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Westmont College, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | | | - Michael McDuffie
- Harvard/MGH Center on Genomics, Vulnerable Populations, and Health Disparities, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Laura Mandel
- Chesapeake Regional Information Systems for our Patients, Columbia, MD, USA
| | - Kenneth I Pargament
- Department of Psychology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, USA
| | - Lynn G Underwood
- Inamori International Center for Ethics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Alexandra E Shields
- Harvard/MGH Center on Genomics, Vulnerable Populations, and Health Disparities, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Exline JJ, Pargament KI, Wilt JA, Harriott VA. Mental illness, normal psychological processes, or attacks by the devil? Three lenses to frame demonic struggles in therapy. Spirituality in Clinical Practice 2021. [DOI: 10.1037/scp0000268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Cowden RG, Pargament KI, Chen ZJ, Davis EB, Lemke AW, Glowiak KJ, Rueger SY, Worthington EL. Religious/spiritual struggles and psychological distress: A test of three models in a longitudinal study of adults with chronic health conditions. J Clin Psychol 2021; 78:544-558. [PMID: 34398979 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.23232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study tested three conceptual explanatory models that have been theorized to account for the linkages between religious/spiritual (R/S) struggles and psychological distress: the primary model (i.e., R/S struggles lead to psychological distress), the secondary model (i.e., psychological distress leads to R/S struggles), and the complex model (i.e., R/S struggles and psychological distress reciprocally exacerbate each other). METHODS Using prospective data from a sample of US adults living with chronic health conditions (n = 302), we performed a cross-lagged panel analysis with three timepoints to test for evidence of potential causal relations between R/S struggles and psychological distress. RESULTS Consistent with the complex conceptual model of R/S struggles, we found evidence of positive reciprocal associations between R/S struggles and psychological distress. CONCLUSION The findings highlight the importance of attending to the dynamic interplay between R/S struggles and psychological distress when working with adults who have chronic health conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard G Cowden
- Human Flourishing Program, Institute for Quantitative Social Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kenneth I Pargament
- Psychology Department, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, USA
| | - Zhuo J Chen
- Department of Psychology, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
| | - Edward B Davis
- School of Psychology, Counseling, and Family Therapy, Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois, USA
| | - Austin W Lemke
- School of Psychology, Counseling, and Family Therapy, Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois, USA
| | - Kevin J Glowiak
- School of Psychology, Counseling, and Family Therapy, Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois, USA
| | - Sandra Y Rueger
- School of Psychology, Counseling, and Family Therapy, Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois, USA
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Wilt JA, Grubbs JB, Exline JJ, Pargament KI. Authenticity, presence of meaning, and struggle with ultimate meaning: Nuanced between-and within-person associations. Journal of Research in Personality 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jrp.2021.104104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Oxhandler HK, Pargament KI, Pearce MJ, Vieten C, Moffatt KM. The Relevance of Religion and Spirituality to Mental Health: A National Survey of Current Clients' Views. Soc Work 2021; 66:254-264. [PMID: 34125208 DOI: 10.1093/sw/swab025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Despite a growing interest in the relationship between religion and spirituality (RS) and mental health across helping professions, less is known about clients' perceived relevance of these areas. This article describes the development and validation of the Relevance of Religion and Spirituality to Mental Health (RRSMH) scale, and responses to the first national survey of clients' perceived relevance of RS to mental health. Specifically, a sample of 989 U.S. adults who saw a mental health care provider in the last month responded to an online survey that included 27 new items to measure clients' perceptions of the relevance of RS to mental health, both positive and negative. A confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the sample's data had an adequate fit to the final 12-item model, and the instrument's overall reliability was very good (α = .96). Descriptive analyses indicated that clients view RS as both supportive and relevant to their mental health. The RRSMH scale may be used in mental health research and practice settings. Authors recommend that RS be assessed and included in treatment planning, where appropriate, and addressed in training for mental health professionals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly K Oxhandler
- associate dean for research and faculty development and associate professor, Diana R. Garland School of Social Work, Baylor University, One Bear Place, #97320, Waco, TX 76798
| | - Kenneth I Pargament
- professor emeritus, Department of Psychology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH
| | - Michelle J Pearce
- associate professor, Graduate School, University of Maryland, Baltimore
| | - Cassandra Vieten
- visiting scholar, Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, San Diego
| | - Kelsey M Moffatt
- adjunct faculty, Diana R. Garland School of Social Work, Baylor University, Waco, TX
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Mahoney A, Pargament KI, DeMaris A. Spiritual intimacy, spiritual one-upmanship, and marital conflict across the transition to parenthood. J Fam Psychol 2021; 35:552-558. [PMID: 32790466 PMCID: PMC10588148 DOI: 10.1037/fam0000795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Dyadic discussions that directly tap into spouses' views on spirituality and religiousness (S/R) represent an understudied but important facet of marital functioning that may be tied, for better or worse, to marital conflict and resolution processes. This study used longitudinal data gathered from 164 married couples across the transition to parenthood (TtP) to address this possibility. Specifically, during late pregnancy and when their infant was 3, 6, and 12 months old, husbands and wives completed measures about both spouses' spiritual intimacy (i.e., self-disclosure and support of partner's disclosures about spirituality) and spiritual one-upmanship (i.e., relying on spiritual and religious [dis]beliefs and opinions to assert superiority in conflicts). Criterion variables were the frequency of marital conflict and both partners' use of collaborative, hostile, and stalemating communication strategies during marital conflicts. Using fixed-effects regression models with both predictors entered, we found that greater spiritual intimacy by wives and husbands predicted less frequent conflict (p < .01), more collaborative communication by husbands (p < .01) and less stalemating (p < .01) by both spouses. Wives' spiritual intimacy also predicted more collaboration and less verbal hostility by wives (p < .01). By contrast, greater spiritual one-upmanship by both spouses predicted greater stalemating by both spouses (p < .05) and verbal hostility by husbands (p < .05). The findings indicate that 2 contrasting types of S/R dialogues are differentially linked to disagreements and conflict-resolution skills after accounting for stable aspects of the couples across the TtP (e.g., personality traits). (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
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Kent BV, Davidson JC, Zhang Y, Pargament KI, VanderWeele TJ, Koenig H, Underwood LG, Krause N, Kanaya AM, Tworoger SS, Schachter AB, Cole S, O’Leary M, Cozier Y, Daviglus M, Giachello AL, Zacher T, Palmer JR, Shields AE. Religion and Spirituality among American Indian, South Asian, Black, Hispanic/Latina, and White Women in the Study on Stress, Spirituality, and Health. J Sci Study Relig 2021; 60:198-215. [PMID: 34012171 PMCID: PMC8127946 DOI: 10.1111/jssr.12695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Social scientists have increasingly recognized the lack of diversity in survey research on American religion, resulting in a dearth of data on religion and spirituality (R/S) in understudied racial and ethnic groups. At the same time, epidemiological studies have increasingly diversified their racial and ethnic representation, but have collected few R/S measures to date. With a particular focus on American Indian and South Asian women (in addition to Blacks, Hispanic/Latinas, and white women), this study introduces a new effort among religion and epidemiology researchers, the Study on Stress, Spirituality, and Health (SSSH). This multi-cohort study provides some of the first estimates of R/S beliefs and practices among American Indians and U.S. South Asians, and offers new insight into salient beliefs and practices of diverse racial/ethnic and religious communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blake Victor Kent
- Westmont College, Department of Sociology, Santa Barbara, CA
- National Consortium on Psychosocial Stress, Spirituality, and Health, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital Center on Genomics, Vulnerable Populations, and Health Disparities, Boston, MA
| | - James C. Davidson
- National Consortium on Psychosocial Stress, Spirituality, and Health, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital Center on Genomics, Vulnerable Populations, and Health Disparities, Boston, MA
- California State University – Northridge, Department of Sociology, Northridge, CA
| | - Ying Zhang
- National Consortium on Psychosocial Stress, Spirituality, and Health, Boston, MA
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Kenneth I. Pargament
- National Consortium on Psychosocial Stress, Spirituality, and Health, Boston, MA
- Bowling Green State University, Department of Psychology, Bowling Green, OH
| | - Tyler J. VanderWeele
- National Consortium on Psychosocial Stress, Spirituality, and Health, Boston, MA
- Harvard School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Boston, MA
- Harvard School of Public Health, Department of Biostatistics, Boston, MA
| | - Harold Koenig
- National Consortium on Psychosocial Stress, Spirituality, and Health, Boston, MA
- Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
| | - Lynn G. Underwood
- National Consortium on Psychosocial Stress, Spirituality, and Health, Boston, MA
- Case Western Reserve University Inamori International Center for Ethics and Excellence, Cleveland, OH
| | - Neal Krause
- National Consortium on Psychosocial Stress, Spirituality, and Health, Boston, MA
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Alka M. Kanaya
- National Consortium on Psychosocial Stress, Spirituality, and Health, Boston, MA
- University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA
| | - Shelley S. Tworoger
- National Consortium on Psychosocial Stress, Spirituality, and Health, Boston, MA
- Harvard School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Boston, MA
- Moffitt Cancer Center Department of Cancer Epidemiology, Tampa, FL
| | - Anna B. Schachter
- National Consortium on Psychosocial Stress, Spirituality, and Health, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital Center on Genomics, Vulnerable Populations, and Health Disparities, Boston, MA
| | - Shelley Cole
- National Consortium on Psychosocial Stress, Spirituality, and Health, Boston, MA
- Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX
| | - Marcia O’Leary
- National Consortium on Psychosocial Stress, Spirituality, and Health, Boston, MA
- Missouri Breaks Industries Research, Inc., Eagle Butte, SD
| | - Yvette Cozier
- National Consortium on Psychosocial Stress, Spirituality, and Health, Boston, MA
- Boston University School of Public Health, Slone Epidemiology Center, Boston, MA
| | - Martha Daviglus
- National Consortium on Psychosocial Stress, Spirituality, and Health, Boston, MA
- University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Aida L. Giachello
- National Consortium on Psychosocial Stress, Spirituality, and Health, Boston, MA
- Northewestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Tracy Zacher
- National Consortium on Psychosocial Stress, Spirituality, and Health, Boston, MA
| | - Julie R. Palmer
- Boston University School of Public Health, Slone Epidemiology Center, Boston, MA
| | - Alexandra E. Shields
- National Consortium on Psychosocial Stress, Spirituality, and Health, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital Center on Genomics, Vulnerable Populations, and Health Disparities, Boston, MA
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Affiliation(s)
- David H Rosmarin
- Spirituality & Mental Health Program, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Kenneth I Pargament
- Department of Psychology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, USA
| | - Harold G Koenig
- Department of Psychiatry, Duke University Health System, Durham, NC, USA; Department of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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Counted V, Pargament KI, Bechara AO, Joynt S, Cowden RG. Hope and well-being in vulnerable contexts during the COVID-19 pandemic: does religious coping matter? The Journal of Positive Psychology 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/17439760.2020.1832247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Victor Counted
- School of Psychology, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Kenneth I. Pargament
- Department of Psychology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, KY, USA
| | | | - Shaun Joynt
- Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Richard G. Cowden
- Human Flourishing Program, Institute for Quantitative Social Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
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Niemiec RM, Russo-Netzer P, Pargament KI. The Decoding of the Human Spirit: A Synergy of Spirituality and Character Strengths Toward Wholeness. Front Psychol 2020; 11:2040. [PMID: 33013513 PMCID: PMC7498576 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.02040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Little attention has been given to the integral relationship between character strengths and spirituality (the search for or communing with the sacred to derive meaning and purpose). The science of character strengths has surged in recent years with hundreds of studies, yet with minimal attention to spirituality or the literature thereof. At the same time, the science of spirituality has steadily unfolded over the last few decades and has offered only occasional attention to select strengths of character (e.g., humility, love, and forgiveness) or the universal typology of the VIA classification of character strengths and virtues. In this exploration, we argue that there is a robust synergy of these sciences and practices revealing that spirituality is vitally concerned with promoting character strengths. At the same time, character strengths can enhance and deepen spiritual practices, rituals, and experiences. We elaborate on how character strengths and spirituality come together in the context of the psycho-spiritual journey toward wholeness. By wholeness, we are referring to a way of being in the world that involves a life-affirming view of oneself and the world, a capacity to see and approach life with breadth and depth and the ability to organize the life journey into a cohesive whole. We further discuss six levels by which spirituality can be integrated within the VIA Classification, including a meta-perspective in which wholeness represents a meta-strength or superordinate virtue. We frame two pathways of integration: the grounding path, in which character strengths offer tangibility and thereby deepen and enhance spirituality, and the sanctification path, in which spirituality elevates character strengths. Finally, we turn to research-based practices and examine how character strengths might facilitate and contribute to spiritual practices and, conversely, how spirituality might enhance character strength practices. Such multifaceted integration offers insight and wisdom to both areas of study and opens up new directions for psycho-spiritual research and practices to deepen and broaden our understanding of what it means to be human.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan M Niemiec
- VIA Institute on Character, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Pninit Russo-Netzer
- Department of Counseling and Human Development, Achva Academic College, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Kenneth I Pargament
- Department of Psychology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, KY, United States
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Fletcher TL, Farmer A, Lamkin JP, Stanley MA, Exline JJ, Pargament KI, Teng EJ. Characterizing religious and spiritual struggles in U.S. veterans: A qualitative study. Spirituality in Clinical Practice 2020. [DOI: 10.1037/scp0000217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Harper KL, Stanley MA, Exline JJ, Pargament KI, Fletcher TL, Teng EJ. The impact of social support and morally injurious events on PTSD symptoms in Veterans. Mil Psychol 2020; 32:352-362. [PMID: 38536328 PMCID: PMC10013442 DOI: 10.1080/08995605.2020.1760684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Potentially morally injurious events (PMIEs), including committing transgressions (Transgressions-Self) and perceiving betrayals, have been positively associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A proposed mechanism for the association between PMIEs and PTSD symptoms is social disconnection. However, research on PMIEs and social disconnection is limited. Secondary data analysis from a larger study examined the moderating role of different sources of perceived social support (Family, Friends, and Significant Other) on the relation between PMIEs (Transgressions-Self and Betrayal) and PTSD. The interaction of Transgressions-Self and perceived social support subscales did not predict PTSD symptoms. However, the interaction of Betrayals and perceived social support (Significant Other and Family) predicted PTSD symptoms. Results suggest that perceived social support provides a protective effect for low to mean levels of perceived betrayals; however, for Veterans reporting high levels of betrayal, perceived social support did not attenuate PTSD symptom severity. Additional research on perceived betrayals and the association with PTSD is needed, especially for Veterans who experience high levels of perceived betrayals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly L Harper
- Michael E. DeBakey Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina
- Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina
| | - Melinda A Stanley
- Michael E. DeBakey Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina
- Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Julie J Exline
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Kenneth I Pargament
- Department of Psychology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio
| | - Terri L Fletcher
- Michael E. DeBakey Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Ellen J Teng
- Michael E. DeBakey Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
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Kao LE, Shah SB, Pargament KI, Griffith JL, Peteet JR. "Gambling with God": A Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound with Religious Motivation in the Context of a Mixed-Mood Episode. Harv Rev Psychiatry 2020; 27:65-72. [PMID: 30614888 DOI: 10.1097/hrp.0000000000000218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Larkin Elderon Kao
- From the Department of Psychiatry, Boston VA Healthcare System, Boston, MA (Dr. Kao); Harvard Medical School (Drs. Shah and Peteet); Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA (Drs. Shah and Peteet); Department of Psychology, Bowling Green State University (Dr. Pargament); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, George Washington University (Dr. Griffith)
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Breuninger MM, Wilt JA, Bautista CL, Pargament KI, Exline JJ, Fletcher TL, Stanley MA, Teng EJ. The invisible battle: A descriptive study of religious/spiritual struggles in Veterans. Military Psychology 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/08995605.2019.1654306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Joshua A. Wilt
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Chandra L. Bautista
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas
| | | | - Julie J. Exline
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Terri L. Fletcher
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas
- Houston VA HSR&D Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Houston, Texas
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
- South Central Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (a virtual center), Houston, Texas
| | - Melinda A. Stanley
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas
- Houston VA HSR&D Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Houston, Texas
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
- South Central Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (a virtual center), Houston, Texas
| | - Ellen J. Teng
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas
- Houston VA HSR&D Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Houston, Texas
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
- South Central Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (a virtual center), Houston, Texas
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21
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Pearce MJ, Pargament KI, Oxhandler HK, Vieten C, Wong S. A novel training program for mental health providers in religious and spiritual competencies. Spirituality in Clinical Practice 2019. [DOI: 10.1037/scp0000195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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22
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Krause N, Pargament KI, Ironson G. In the Shadow of Death: Religious Hope as a Moderator of the Effects of Age on Death Anxiety. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2019; 73:696-703. [PMID: 27069101 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbw039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2015] [Accepted: 03/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives The purpose of this study is to see whether feelings of death anxiety are lower among older than among younger people. In addition, an effort is made to see whether religious hope explains this relationship. It is proposed that the inverse relationship between a religiously oriented sense of hope and death anxiety increases across successively older age-groups. In contrast, it is hypothesized that the relationship between a generalized sense of hope and death anxiety will not vary across successively older age-groups. Method Data on religious hope, a general sense of hope, and death anxiety were obtained from a recent nationwide survey of people aged 18 and older (N = 2,783). Results The findings suggest that, compared with older adults, feelings of death anxiety are higher among younger and middle-aged people. The results further reveal that a religious sense of hope, but not a general sense of hope, reduces feelings of death anxiety across successively older age-groups. Discussion These findings suggest that a previously unexamined dimension of religion (i.e., religious hope) may help people cope with feelings of death anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neal Krause
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
| | - Kenneth I Pargament
- Department of Psychology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio
| | - Gail Ironson
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Corral Gables, Florida
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23
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Stauner N, Exline JJ, Kusina JR, Pargament KI. Religious and spiritual struggles, religiousness, and alcohol problems among undergraduates. J Prev Interv Community 2019; 47:243-258. [PMID: 31002030 DOI: 10.1080/10852352.2019.1603678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Theoretically, religion/spirituality may protect against alcohol problems or facilitate recovery. However, challenges can arise in religious/spiritual life that may contribute to or complicate alcohol problems. Emerging adults often experience difficult transitions from family environments to independent membership in academic communities straddling the legal drinking age boundary. Among underage undergraduates, we hypothesized that religious/spiritual struggles predict more alcohol problems independently of distress and religiousness, and religiousness independently predicts fewer alcohol problems. Our survey of two U.S. universities (total N = 2525) supported these hypotheses. Structural equation models revealed positive correlations between alcohol problems and all six religious/spiritual struggles (divine, demonic, interpersonal, moral, ultimate meaning, doubt), but only moral struggle predicted alcohol problems moderately and independently of religiousness, distress, gender, and non/white ethnicity. Evidence also emerged for negative correlations between religious/spiritual struggles and drinking as it varies independently of alcohol problems. We recommend that alcoholism counselors address clients' religious/spiritual struggles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick Stauner
- a Case Western Reserve University , Cleveland , OH , USA
| | - Julie J Exline
- a Case Western Reserve University , Cleveland , OH , USA
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O'Brien B, Shrestha S, Stanley MA, Pargament KI, Cummings J, Kunik ME, Fletcher TL, Cortes J, Ramsey D, Amspoker AB. Positive and negative religious coping as predictors of distress among minority older adults. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2019; 34:54-59. [PMID: 30375027 DOI: 10.1002/gps.4983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The study replicated and extended previous findings by investigating relationships between positive and negative religious coping and psychological distress in minority older adults. METHODS Older adults were evaluated during screening and baseline procedures of a psychotherapy clinical trial for late-life worry and anxiety. Participants were age 50 years or older and recruited from low-income and predominantly minority neighborhoods. Participants screening positive for worry (PSWQ-A ≥ 23) with no significant cognitive impairment (Six-Item Screener for cognitive impairment ≤2) completed a diagnostic interview and baseline assessments. Positive and negative religious coping were assessed with the positive and negative coping subscales of the Brief Religious Coping scale. Psychological distress was assessed with measures of depression, anxiety, and worry. A set of multiple linear regression models were used to evaluate the relationship between religious coping and each measure of psychological distress. RESULTS Negative religious coping was associated with greater anxiety, worry, and depression. Positive and negative religious coping interacted such that positive religious coping buffered the effects of negative religious coping on anxiety and depression. Significant main effects and interactions remained after controlling for age, gender, race, years of education, and study. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study are consistent with prior work showing that negative religious coping is associated with greater psychological distress. This study replicates previous findings that positive religious coping may buffer the harmful effects of negative religious coping and extends understandings of the specific psychological impacts that positive and negative religious coping may have on older, minority adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany O'Brien
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Srijana Shrestha
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Wheaton College, Norton, MA, USA
| | - Melinda A Stanley
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Houston VA HSR&D Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Houston, TX, USA.,VA South Central Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kenneth I Pargament
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, USA
| | | | - Mark E Kunik
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Houston VA HSR&D Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Houston, TX, USA.,VA South Central Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Terri L Fletcher
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Houston VA HSR&D Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Houston, TX, USA.,VA South Central Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jose Cortes
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Houston VA HSR&D Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Houston, TX, USA
| | - David Ramsey
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Houston VA HSR&D Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Amber B Amspoker
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Houston VA HSR&D Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Houston, TX, USA
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25
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Evans WR, Szabo YZ, Stanley MA, Barrera TL, Exline JJ, Pargament KI, Teng EJ. Life satisfaction among veterans: Unique associations with morally injurious events and posttraumatic growth. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.1037/trm0000157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Abstract
Many people rely on religion to deal with the stressors in their lives. The purpose of this study is to examine a religious coping resource that has received relatively little attention-reading the Bible. We evaluated three hypotheses: (1) reading the Bible moderates the relationship between stress and hope; (2) people who read the Bible more often are more likely to rely on benevolent religious reappraisal coping responses; and (3) individuals who rely on benevolent religious reappraisals will be more hopeful about the future. Support was found for all three hypotheses in our analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neal Krause
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2029, USA.
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27
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Ironson G, Lucette A, Hylton E, Pargament KI, Krause N. The Relationship Between Religious and Psychospiritual Measures and an Inflammation Marker (CRP) in Older Adults Experiencing Life Event Stress. J Relig Health 2018; 57:1554-1566. [PMID: 29594652 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-018-0600-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Inflammation, often measured by C-reactive protein (CRP), is thought to be related to a number of debilitating illnesses as we age, including cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes. Stress has also been implicated in these processes. This study examines potential protective effects of spirituality and religion in older adults who have experienced stressful life events. As part of the nationwide Landmark Study of Spirituality and Health, a subsample of 643 middle-aged and older adults (age ≥ 50) who were at or above the median in number of life stressors (≥ 2) was included in this analysis. Psychospiritual and religious (PS/R) variables included: religious service attendance, prayer, religious meaning, religious hope, general meaning, general hope and sense of peace. Control variables included: age, gender, education, BMI, smoking, alcohol use, social support. Only church attendance predicted significantly lower CRP after controlling for covariates, even above the other PS/R variables (standardized β = - 0.14, t = - 3.23 p = 0.001). Those with frequent religious service attendance were 38% less likely to have clinically elevated CRP than those who attend rarely or never. Religious service attendance may confer protection in older adults experiencing stressful events as it was significantly associated with lower CRP, an inflammatory marker associated with illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gail Ironson
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, 5665 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Coral Gables, FL, 33124-0751, USA.
| | - Aurelie Lucette
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, 5665 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Coral Gables, FL, 33124-0751, USA
| | - Emily Hylton
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, 5665 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Coral Gables, FL, 33124-0751, USA
| | - Kenneth I Pargament
- Department of Psychology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, USA
| | - Neal Krause
- School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
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28
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Oxhandler HK, Pargament KI. Measuring religious and spiritual competence across helping professions: Previous efforts and future directions. Spirituality in Clinical Practice 2018. [DOI: 10.1037/scp0000149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Although a good deal of research has assessed the positive effects that involvement in religion has on alcohol use, there is relatively little research on the negative aspects of religious life and alcohol problems. OBJECTIVES This study has two objectives. The first is to see if spiritual struggles are associated with problem drinking. The second is to see if the relationship between spiritual struggles and problem drinking is stronger for younger than for older adults. METHODS The data come from a recent nationwide survey of adults of all ages who reside in the United States (N = 2142).The study was conducted in 2014. Problem drinking is assessed with the CAGE questionnaire. RESULTS The findings indicate that people who encounter more spiritual struggles are more likely to experience problem drinking. The relationship between spiritual struggles and problem drinking was stronger than the relationship between three other frequently used measures of religion and problem drinking (i.e., attendance at worship services, private prayer, and affiliation with Evangelical denominations). The results further reveal that spiritual struggles are associated with a greater risk of drinking problems among younger than among older individuals. Conclusions/Importance: Although many studies show that various facets of religion are associated with a lower risk of experiencing problems with alcohol the findings from the current study show that there are negative aspects of religious life that may be associated with a greater risk of having problems with alcohol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neal Krause
- a Department of Health Behavior and Health Education , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , Michigan , USA
| | - Kenneth I Pargament
- b Department of Psychology , Bowling Green State University , Bowling Green , Ohio , USA
| | - Peter C Hill
- c Department of Psychology , Biola University , La Mirada , California , USA
| | - Gail Ironson
- d Department of Psychology , University of Miami , Coral Gables , Florida , USA
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30
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Grubbs JB, Wilt JA, Exline JJ, Pargament KI, Kraus SW. Moral disapproval and perceived addiction to internet pornography: a longitudinal examination. Addiction 2018; 113:496-506. [PMID: 28833800 DOI: 10.1111/add.14007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Revised: 07/18/2017] [Accepted: 08/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Internet pornography use is an increasingly common, yet controversial, behavior. Whereas mental health communities are divided about potentially problematic use patterns, many lay people identify as feeling dysregulated or compulsive in their use. Prior work has labeled this tendency perceived addiction to internet pornography (PA). This study's aims were to (1) assess the association between PA at baseline and other factors, including actual levels of average daily pornography use and personality factors and (2) assess the associations between baseline variables and PA 1 year later. DESIGN Two large-scale community samples were assessed using online survey methods, with subsets of each sample being recruited for follow-up surveys 1 year later. SETTING United States. PARTICIPANTS Participants were adults who had used pornography within the past 6 months recruited in two samples. Sample 1 (n = 1507) involved undergraduate students from three US universities and sample 2 (n = 782) involved web-using adults. Subsets of each sample (sample 1, n = 146; sample 2, n = 211) were surveyed again 1 year later. MEASUREMENTS At baseline, we assessed average daily pornography use, PA and relevant predictors (e.g. trait neuroticism, trait self-control, trait entitlement, religiousness, moral disapproval of pornography use). One year later, we assessed PA. FINDINGS Cross-sectionally, PA was correlated strongly with moral disapproval of pornography use [sample 1, Pearson's correlation: r = 0.68 (0.65, 0.70); sample 2, r = 0.58 (0.53, 0.63)]. Baseline moral disapproval [sample 1, r = 0.46 (0.33, 0.56); sample 2, r = 0.61 (0.51, 0.69)] and perceived addiction demonstrated relationships with perceived addiction 1 year later. We found inconclusive evidence of a substantial or significant association between pornography use and perceived addiction over time [sample 1, r = 0.13 (-0.02, 0.28); sample 2, r = 0.11 (-0.04, 0.25)]. CONCLUSIONS Perceived addiction to internet pornography appears to be related strongly to moral scruples around pornography use, both concurrently and over time, rather than with the amount of daily pornography use itself.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua B Grubbs
- Department of Psychology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, USA
| | - Joshua A Wilt
- Psychological Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Julie J Exline
- Psychological Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Kenneth I Pargament
- Department of Psychology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, USA
| | - Shane W Kraus
- VISN 1 MIRECC, Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, Bedford, MA, USA
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Abstract
In a large online survey of undergraduates, we examined the degree to which social desirability concerns might bias pornography-related self-reports and whether these biases are stronger among highly religious participants than among less-religious ones. Recent state-level analyses have put forward a controversial suggestion that religious individuals tend to search for pornography more than their less-religious peers, despite self-reports to the contrary. Such results could be explained by a social-desirability bias against reporting the consumption of pornography, one that applies specifically to religious individuals. Though our findings are limited to undergraduates in the U.S. Midwest, we found some evidence that the desire to positively self-present (as measured by the Marlowe-Crowne social desirability scale) may bias reports of pornography consumption and perceptions of pornography's effects (e.g., perceptions of addictiveness). However, contrary to popular sentiment-and our own hypotheses-we found no evidence for and much evidence against the suggestion that religious individuals have a more pronounced social desirability bias against the reporting of pornography consumption than the irreligious. Interaction terms assessing that possibility were either nonsignificant or significant in the reverse direction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Julie J Exline
- c Department of Psychology , Case Western Reserve University
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32
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Vitorino LM, Chiaradia R, Low G, Cruz JP, Pargament KI, Lucchetti ALG, Lucchetti G. Association of spiritual/religious coping with depressive symptoms in high‐ and low‐risk pregnant women. J Clin Nurs 2017; 27:e635-e642. [DOI: 10.1111/jocn.14113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Luciano M Vitorino
- Faculty of Medicine Federal University of Juiz de Fora Juiz de Fora Brazil
| | | | - Gail Low
- Faculty of Nursing University of Alberta Edmonton AB Canada
| | - Jonas Preposi Cruz
- Nursing Department College of Applied Medical Sciences Shaqra University Al Dawadmi, Riyadh Saudi Arabia
- Graduate School Union Christian College San Fernando City La Union Philippines
| | - Kenneth I Pargament
- Department of Psychology Bowling Green State University Bowling Green OH USA
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Baylor College of Medicine Bowling Green State University Bowling Green OH USA
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33
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Evans WR, Stanley MA, Barrera TL, Exline JJ, Pargament KI, Teng EJ. Morally injurious events and psychological distress among veterans: Examining the mediating role of religious and spiritual struggles. Psychol Trauma 2017; 10:360-367. [PMID: 29154594 DOI: 10.1037/tra0000347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Potentially morally injurious events (PMIEs)-violations (perpetrated or witnessed) of one's deeply held beliefs or values-have been associated with several forms of psychological distress. The values violated by PMIEs are often influenced by one's religion/spirituality (r/s). Struggles with one's r/s beliefs and/or practices may also contribute to elevated psychological distress. To further develop a framework for understanding and treating the sequelae of PMIE exposure, we examined the role of r/s struggles in the relation between PMIE exposure and psychological distress. METHOD A diverse sample of 155 veterans at a large Veterans Affairs medical center completed questionnaires assessing PMIE exposure, r/s struggles, and psychological distress. RESULTS Findings revealed greater PMIE exposure predicted elevated r/s struggles as well as elevated symptoms of anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Likewise, greater r/s struggles predicted elevated anxiety, PTSD, and depression symptoms. Regression analyses revealed r/s struggles fully mediated the relation between PMIE exposure and anxiety as well as PTSD, and a significant indirect effect of PMIE exposure on depression symptoms through r/s struggles was observed. Follow-up analyses revealed that no specific domain of r/s struggles accounted for the relation between PMIE exposure and psychological distress; rather, the overarching construct of r/s struggles accounted for this relation. CONCLUSION These findings advance the evolving theoretical framework of moral injury, elucidating the salience of r/s struggles in the development of distress. Implications for moral injury intervention call for attention to potential dissonance between actions (witnessed or perpetrated) and r/s underpinnings of the individual's moral framework. (PsycINFO Database Record
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Ellen J Teng
- Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center
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34
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King SDW, Fitchett G, Murphy PE, Rajaee G, Pargament KI, Loggers ET, Harrison DA, Johnson RH. Religious/Spiritual Struggle in Young Adult Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Survivors. J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol 2017; 7:210-216. [PMID: 29099640 DOI: 10.1089/jayao.2017.0069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study describes the prevalence of religious and/or spiritual (R/S) struggle in long-term young adult (YA) survivors following hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) as well as existential concerns (EC), social support, and demographic, medical, and emotional correlates of R/S struggle. METHODS Data were collected as part of an annual survey of survivors of HCT aged 18-39 years at survey completion; age at HCT was 1-39 years. Study measures included measures of R/S struggle (defined as any non-zero response on the negative religious coping subscale from Brief RCOPE), quality of life (QOL), and depression. Factors associated with R/S struggle were identified using multivariable logistic regression models. RESULTS Fifty-two of the 172 respondents (30%), who ranged from less than a year to 33 years after HCT, had some R/S struggle. In bivariate analysis, depression was associated with R/S struggle. In a multivariable logistic regression model, individuals with greater EC were nearly five times more likely to report R/S struggle. R/S struggle was not associated with age at transplant, time since transplant, gender, race, R/S self-identification, or medical variables. CONCLUSION R/S struggle is common among YA HCT survivors, even many years after HCT. There is a strong correlation between EC and R/S struggle. Given the prevalence of R/S struggle and its associations with EC, survivors should be screened and referred to professionals with expertise in EC and R/S struggle as appropriate. Further study is needed to determine longitudinal trajectory, impact of struggle intensity, causal relationships, and effects of R/S struggle on health, mood, and QOL for YA HCT survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen D W King
- 1 Chaplaincy, Child Life, & Clinical Patient Navigators, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center/Seattle Cancer Care Alliance , Seattle, Washington
| | - George Fitchett
- 2 Department of Religion, Health, and Human Values, Rush University Medical Center , Chicago, Illinois
| | - Patricia E Murphy
- 2 Department of Religion, Health, and Human Values, Rush University Medical Center , Chicago, Illinois
| | - Geila Rajaee
- 3 University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan , Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Kenneth I Pargament
- 4 Department of Psychology, Bowling Green State University , Bowling Green, Ohio
| | - Elizabeth Trice Loggers
- 5 Division of Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center/Seattle Cancer Care Alliance , Seattle, Washington
| | - David A Harrison
- 6 Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine , Seattle, Washington
| | - Rebecca H Johnson
- 7 Division of Pediatric Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Mary Bridge Hospital/MultiCare Health System , Tacoma, Washington
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Balboni TA, Fitchett G, Handzo GF, Johnson KS, Koenig HG, Pargament KI, Puchalski CM, Sinclair S, Taylor EJ, Steinhauser KE. State of the Science of Spirituality and Palliative Care Research Part II: Screening, Assessment, and Interventions. J Pain Symptom Manage 2017; 54:441-453. [PMID: 28734881 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2017.07.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The State of the Science in Spirituality and Palliative Care was convened to address the current landscape of research at the intersection of spirituality and palliative care and to identify critical next steps to advance this field of inquiry. Part II of the SOS-SPC report addresses the state of extant research and identifies critical research priorities pertaining to the following questions: 1) How do we assess spirituality? 2) How do we intervene on spirituality in palliative care? And 3) How do we train health professionals to address spirituality in palliative care? Findings from this report point to the need for screening and assessment tools that are rigorously developed, clinically relevant, and adapted to a diversity of clinical and cultural settings. Chaplaincy research is needed to form professional spiritual care provision in a variety of settings, and outcomes assessed to ascertain impact on key patient, family, and clinical staff outcomes. Intervention research requires rigorous conceptualization and assessments. Intervention development must be attentive to clinical feasibility, incorporate perspectives and needs of patients, families, and clinicians, and be targeted to diverse populations with spiritual needs. Finally, spiritual care competencies for various clinical care team members should be refined. Reflecting those competencies, training curricula and evaluation tools should be developed, and the impact of education on patient, family, and clinician outcomes should be systematically assessed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracy A Balboni
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - George Fitchett
- Harvard Medical Department of Religion, Health and Human Values, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | | | - Kimberly S Johnson
- Division of Geriatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina; Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina; Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina; Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Harold G Koenig
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina; Department of Psychiatry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina; Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina; Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina; King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Kenneth I Pargament
- Department of Psychology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio
| | - Christina M Puchalski
- George Washington Institute for Spirituality and Health, George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, D.C
| | | | | | - Karen E Steinhauser
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina; Division of General Internal Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina; Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina; Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina; Center of Innovation in Health Services Research, Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.
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Steinhauser KE, Fitchett G, Handzo GF, Johnson KS, Koenig HG, Pargament KI, Puchalski CM, Sinclair S, Taylor EJ, Balboni TA. State of the Science of Spirituality and Palliative Care Research Part I: Definitions, Measurement, and Outcomes. J Pain Symptom Manage 2017; 54:428-440. [PMID: 28733252 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2017.07.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The State of the Science in Spirituality and Palliative Care was convened to address the current landscape of research at the intersection of spirituality and palliative care and to identify critical next steps to advance this field of inquiry. Part I of the SOS-SPC two-part series focuses on questions of 1) What is spirituality? 2) What methodological and measurement issues are most salient for research in palliative care? And 3) What is the evidence relating spirituality and health outcomes? After describing current evidence we make recommendations for future research in each of the three areas of focus. Results show wide variance in the ways spirituality is operationalized and the need for definition and conceptual clarity in research in spirituality. Furthermore, the field would benefit from hypothesis-driven outcomes research based on a priori specification of the spiritual dimensions under investigation and their longitudinal relationship with key palliative outcomes, the use of validated measures of predictors and outcomes, and rigorous assessment of potential confounding variables. Finally, results highlight the need for research in more diverse populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen E Steinhauser
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina; Division of General Internal Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina; Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina; Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina; Center of Innovation in Health Services Research, Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.
| | - George Fitchett
- Department of Religion, Health and Human Values, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | | | - Kimberly S Johnson
- Division of Geriatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina; Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina; Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina; Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Harold G Koenig
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina; Department of Psychiatry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina; Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina; Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina; King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Kenneth I Pargament
- Department of Psychology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio
| | - Christina M Puchalski
- George Washington Institute for Spirituality and Health, George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, D.C
| | | | | | - Tracy A Balboni
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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Grubbs JB, Exline JJ, Pargament KI, Volk F, Lindberg MJ. Internet Pornography Use, Perceived Addiction, and Religious/Spiritual Struggles. Arch Sex Behav 2017; 46:1733-1745. [PMID: 27351579 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-016-0772-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2015] [Revised: 12/15/2015] [Accepted: 05/10/2016] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Prior work has demonstrated that religious beliefs and moral attitudes are often related to sexual functioning. The present work sought to examine another possibility: Do sexual attitudes and behaviors have a relationship with religious and spiritual functioning? More specifically, do pornography use and perceived addiction to Internet pornography predict the experience of religious and spiritual struggle? It was expected that feelings of perceived addiction to Internet pornography would indeed predict such struggles, both cross-sectionally and over time, but that actual pornography use would not. To test these ideas, two studies were conducted using a sample of undergraduate students (N = 1519) and a sample of adult Internet users in the U.S. (N = 713). Cross-sectional analyses in both samples found that elements of perceived addiction were related to the experience of religious and spiritual struggle. Additionally, longitudinal analyses over a 1-year time span with a subset of undergraduates (N = 156) and a subset of adult web users (N = 366) revealed that perceived addiction to Internet pornography predicted unique variance in struggle over time, even when baseline levels of struggle and other related variables were held constant. Collectively, these findings identify perceived addiction to Internet pornography as a reliable predictor of religious and spiritual struggle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua B Grubbs
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
- Department of Psychology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, 43403, USA.
| | - Julie J Exline
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Kenneth I Pargament
- Department of Psychology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, 43403, USA
| | - Fred Volk
- Department of Counselor Education and Family Studies, Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA, USA
| | - Matthew J Lindberg
- Department of Psychology, Youngstown State University, Youngstown, OH, USA
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Ano GG, Pargament KI, Wong S, Pomerleau J. From vice to virtue: Evaluating a manualized intervention for moral spiritual struggles. Spirituality in Clinical Practice 2017. [DOI: 10.1037/scp0000128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Weber SR, Lomax JW, Pargament KI. Healthcare Engagement as a Potential Source of Psychological Distress among People without Religious Beliefs: A Systematic Review. Healthcare (Basel) 2017; 5:healthcare5020019. [PMID: 28379161 PMCID: PMC5492022 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare5020019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2017] [Revised: 03/21/2017] [Accepted: 03/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Research into religion and mental health is increasing, but nonbelievers in terms of religion are often overlooked. Research has shown that nonbelievers experience various forms of psychological distress and that the negative perception of nonbelievers by others is a potential source of distress. This review builds on that research by identifying another potential source of psychological distress for nonbelievers: engagement with the healthcare system. Poor understanding of nonbelievers by healthcare professionals may lead to impaired communication in the healthcare setting, resulting in distress. Attempts by nonbelievers to avoid distress may result in different patterns of healthcare utilization. Awareness of these concerns may help healthcare providers to minimize distress among their nonbelieving patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - James W Lomax
- Department of Psychiatry, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Kenneth I Pargament
- Department of Psychology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403, USA.
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Van Tongeren DR, Hill PC, Krause N, Ironson GH, Pargament KI. The Mediating Role of Meaning in the Association between Stress and Health. Ann Behav Med 2017; 51:775-781. [DOI: 10.1007/s12160-017-9899-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
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Krause N, Pargament KI, Hill PC, Ironson G. Assessing the role of race/ethnicity in the relationships among spiritual struggles, health, and well-being. Am J Orthopsychiatry 2017; 88:132-141. [PMID: 28253019 DOI: 10.1037/ort0000255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
A growing body of research suggests that greater exposure to spiritual struggles is associated with more physical and mental health problems. Spiritual struggles involve difficulties that a person may encounter with his or her faith, which may include having a troubled relationship with God, encountering difficulties with religious others, or being unable to find a sense of meaning in life. However, little is known about the way in which spiritual struggles may differ across racial/ethnic groups. The purpose of this study was to assess variations in spiritual struggles, health, and well-being among Whites, Blacks, and Hispanics. We examined two ways in which race/ethnic variations may arise. First, the differential-exposure perspective suggests that some groups may experience more spiritual struggles than others. Findings from a recent nationwide survey suggest that Blacks experience more spiritual struggles than either Whites or Hispanics. Second, the differential-impact perspective suggests that the relationship between spiritual struggles, health, and well-being varies across racial/ethnic groups. Findings from the current study suggest that when spiritual struggles arise, Blacks experience fewer symptoms of physical illness, less anxiety, and they tend to be happier than Whites or Hispanics. The theoretical implication of these findings is discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record
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Affiliation(s)
- Neal Krause
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Education
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Research indicates that greater involvement in religion is associated with lower rates of substance use and misuse. However, religion is a complex construct that can be assessed in many ways. The purpose of this study is to explore a dimension of religion that has not been evaluated in previous research on poly-drug use: a religious sense of meaning in life. OBJECTIVES It is hypothesized that a religious sense of meaning in life will offset (i.e., moderate) the effects of chronic financial strain on poly-drug use. In order to instill greater confidence in the findings, the moderating role of a religious sense of meaning in life is compared and contrasted with a general sense of meaning in life. METHODS The data are provided by a recent nationwide survey of adults of all ages in the United States (N = 2,622). The relationships among the core study constructs are evaluated with ordinary least squares multiple regression. RESULTS The results indicate that a greater religious sense of meaning in life buffers the effects of financial strain on poly-drug use. In contrast, a general sense of meaning in life does not appear to perform a similar stress-buffering function. Conclusions/Importance: The findings from this study are important because they provide greater insight into the potentially important ways in which involvement in religion may be associated with poly-drug use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neal Krause
- a Department of Health Behavior and Health Education , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , Michigan , USA
| | - Kenneth I Pargament
- b Department of Psychology , Bowling Green State University , Bowling Green , Ohio , USA
| | - Gail Ironson
- c Department of Psychology , Miami University , Coral Gables , Florida , USA
| | - Peter Hill
- d Rosemead School of Psychology , Biola University , La Mirada , California , USA
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Krause N, Pargament KI, Hill PC, Wong S, Ironson G. Exploring the relationships among age, spiritual struggles, and health. Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/15528030.2017.1285844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Neal Krause
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | | | | | - Serena Wong
- Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, USA
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Wilt JA, Stauner N, Lindberg MJ, Grubbs JB, Exline JJ, Pargament KI. Struggle with ultimate meaning: Nuanced associations with search for meaning, presence of meaning, and mental health. The Journal of Positive Psychology 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/17439760.2017.1279208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua A. Wilt
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Nick Stauner
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | | | - Joshua B. Grubbs
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Julie J. Exline
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Kenneth I. Pargament
- Department of Psychology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, USA
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Krause N, Pargament KI, Ironson G, Hayward RD. Spiritual Struggles and Interleukin-6: Assessing Potential Benefits and Potential Risks. Biodemography Soc Biol 2017; 63:279-294. [PMID: 29199870 DOI: 10.1080/19485565.2017.1377058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between spiritual struggles and levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) with a subsample (N = 943) of participants who took part in a nationwide survey. This study, which was completed in 2014, was conducted in the United States. Spiritual struggles refer to difficulties that a person may encounter with his or her faith and include having a troubled relationship with God, encountering difficulties with religious others, and being unable to find a sense of ultimate meaning in life. Based on the notion that spiritual struggles may be associated with personal growth as well physical health problems, it was hypothesized that there is a nonlinear relationship between the two: levels of IL-6 will decline at relatively low levels of spiritual struggles, but levels of IL-6 will increase as spiritual struggles become more severe. The findings support this hypothesis and suggest there is a quadratic relationship between spiritual struggles and IL-6. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neal Krause
- a University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , Michigan , USA
| | | | - Gail Ironson
- c University of Miami , Coral Gables , Florida , USA
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Paika V, Andreoulakis E, Ntountoulaki E, Papaioannou D, Kotsis K, Siafaka V, Fountoulakis KN, Pargament KI, Carvalho AF, Hyphantis T. The Greek-Orthodox version of the Brief Religious Coping (B-RCOPE) instrument: psychometric properties in three samples and associations with mental disorders, suicidality, illness perceptions, and quality of life. Ann Gen Psychiatry 2017; 16:13. [PMID: 28239407 PMCID: PMC5314716 DOI: 10.1186/s12991-017-0136-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Accepted: 02/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The B-RCOPE is a brief measure assessing religious coping. We aimed to assess the psychometric properties of its Greek version in people with and without long-term conditions (LTCs). Associations between religious coping and mental illness, suicidality, illness perceptions, and quality of life were also investigated. METHODS The B-RCOPE was administered to 351 patients with diabetes, chronic pulmonary obstructive disease (COPD), and rheumatic diseases attending either the emergency department (N = 74) or specialty clinics (N = 302) and 127 people without LTCs. Diagnosis of mental disorders was established by the MINI. Associations with depressive symptom severity (PHQ-9), suicidal risk (RASS), illness perceptions (B-IPQ), and health-related quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF) were also investigated. RESULTS The Greek version of B-RCOPE showed a coherent two-dimensional factor structure with remarkable stability across the three samples corresponding to the positive (PRC) and negative (NRC) religious coping dimensions. Cronbach's alphas were 0.91-0.96 and 0.77-0.92 for the PRC and NRC dimensions, respectively. Furthermore, NRC was associated with poorer mental health, greater depressive symptom severity and suicidality, and impaired HRQoL. In patients with LTCs, PRC correlated with lower perceived illness timeline, while NRC was associated with greater perceived illness consequences, lower perceived treatment control, greater illness concern, and lower illness comprehensibility. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that the Greek-Orthodox B-RCOPE version may reliably assess religious coping. In addition, negative religious coping (i.e., religious struggle) is associated with adverse illness perceptions, and thus may detrimentally impact adaptation to medical illness. These findings deserve replication in prospective studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vassiliki Paika
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Elias Andreoulakis
- Third Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Elisavet Ntountoulaki
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Dimitra Papaioannou
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Kotsis
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Vassiliki Siafaka
- Department of Speech and Language Therapy, Technological Educational Institute of Epirus, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Konstantinos N Fountoulakis
- Third Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Kenneth I Pargament
- Department of Psychology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH USA
| | - Andre F Carvalho
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Translational Psychiatry Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE Brazil
| | - Thomas Hyphantis
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
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Abstract
Spiritual meditation has been found to reduce the frequency of migraines and physiological reactivity to stress. However, little is known about how introducing a spirituality component into a meditation intervention impacts analgesic medication usage. In this study, 92 meditation-naïve participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups: (1) Spiritual Meditation, (n = 25), (2) Internally Focused Secular Meditation (n = 23), (3) Externally Focused Secular Meditation (n = 22), or (4) Progressive Muscle Relaxation (n = 22); and practiced their technique for 20 min/day over 30 days while completing daily diaries. Headache frequency, headache severity, and pain medication use were assessed. Migraine frequency decreased in the Spiritual Meditation group compared to other groups (p < 0.05). Headache severity ratings did not differ across groups (p = ns). After adjusting for headache frequency, migraine medication usage decreased in the Spiritual Meditation group compared to other groups (p < 0.05). Spiritual Meditation was found to not affect pain sensitivity, but it does improve pain tolerance with reduced headache related analgesic medication usage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy B Wachholtz
- University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA,
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Dworsky CKO, Pargament KI, Wong S, Exline JJ. Suppressing spiritual struggles: The role of experiential avoidance in mental health. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcbs.2016.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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Exline JJ, Hall TW, Pargament KI, Harriott VA. Predictors of growth from spiritual struggle among Christian undergraduates: Religious coping and perceptions of helpful action by God are both important. The Journal of Positive Psychology 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/17439760.2016.1228007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Julie J. Exline
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Todd W. Hall
- Rosemead School of Psychology, Biola University, La Mirada, CA, USA
| | - Kenneth I. Pargament
- Department of Psychology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, USA
| | - Valencia A. Harriott
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
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Abstract
This study examined the relationships among a variety of loci of control and individual psychosocial competence measures through nomothetic and idiographic methods. 133 congregation members drawn from 12 suburban congregations participated in the study. Correlational analyses pointed to considerable independence among the loci of control. However, through a cluster analysis, groups of members manifesting different patterns of attribution of control were identified. The patterns themselves were conceptually meaningful. Furthermore, members of the clusters held significantly different characteristics of psychosocial competence. Yet, as elements of the cluster, neither internal nor external loci themselves had consistently positive or negative implications for members' competence. Rather the significance of the loci appeared to lie in their configuration with each other. Thus, this study highlights the relevance of examining individual frameworks of causal attribution whose elements operate interactively as well as independently.
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