School of Counseling Student Resources: Richmont Student Research

Abstract: Pastoral leadership within the American church is expressed in a variety of forms and styles, some of which may reflect a reaction to the anxiety within the pastor and/or the congregation. Anxiety is a part of every system, and a primary function of leadership is to guide the organization toward principled, less-anxious action in contrast with emotional, impulsive reaction. Principled leadership reflects the ability to “respond from a set of internalized principles rather than from the pressures of the emotional field.”1 Principled leadership, born of what Murray Bowen termed differentiation of self, is one aspect of nurturing a culture of spiritual formation that produces growth and transformation into the likeness of Christ in the lives of congregation members. In the absence of principled leadership, the anxious emotional processes at work within the congregation are prone to move the system toward regression rather than resilience and maturity.2 This project studied one congregation’s experience of pastoral leadership during the COVID-19 Crisis. The underlying assumption for this study is that a crisis exposes the actual relational processes at work within a system. Utilizing the shepherd motif from John 10 as well as Bowen Family Systems Theory (BFST) as a framework for the relationship between the pastor and the congregation, this research project employed the case study method to study one congregation’s response to the COVID-19 crisis. Research was conducted utilizing observation, interviews, a questionnaire, the Differentiation of Self Inventory (DSI-R),3and review of congregational documents and artifacts as well as in-person worship attendance data from pre and post-COVID annual time periods. Data was analyzed using pre-defined codes that highlighted characteristics of emotional processes, the pastor’s leadership and the congregation’s resilience and were selected based upon the project thesis and the literature review. This study asserts that a pastor’s ability to provide principled leadership by differentiating from the emotional processes within the congregational system is an important aspect of cruciform shepherd leadership and contributes to the congregation’s resilience and movement toward maturity as revealed by a crisis. The data from this study provided evidence to support the thesis that the principled leadership provided by the pastor to the congregation had a positive effect on the congregation’s resilience as reflected by sustained attendance at Sunday morning worship, the ability to stay connected and demonstrate mutual care for one another, and the ability to experience growth in their shared mission and in their understanding of spiritual maturity through the crisis.

On the one hand, Christian spiritual formation is a term that describes the spiritually transformative impact of a relationship with Jesus Christ. It focuses on becoming conformed to the image of Jesus Christ by exercising practices that focus the mind and heart of the believer on Christ. There are various exercises (prayer, meditation on scripture, solitude, silence, lectio divina, and more) that Christians have practiced since the formation of the church to the present day. On the other hand, “cultural intelligence,” defined by the Cultural Intelligence Center, is “the ability to function and relate in culturally diverse situations.” A “cultural intelligence” assessment, created, implemented, and assessed by the Cultural Intelligence Center and its certified trainers, measures four primary domains, “drive, knowledge, action, and strategy.” Each domain also has subdomains. For example, the “cultural intelligence drive” subdomains are: “intrinsic interest, extrinsic interest, and self-efficacy.” This project argues that cultural intelligence is a Christ-like quality worthy of emulation for conformation to the image of Christ through spiritual formation. Therefore, spiritual formation practices directed toward cultural intelligence through scripture, art, and music should increase intrinsic interest scores, which measure how much enjoyment one receives from culturally diverse situations. Participants (faculty and staff at Richmont Graduate University split into two groups) completed the Cultural Intelligence Assessment at the beginning of a four month training period. One group completed three two-hour trainings and discussions about the cultural intelligence assessment and their compiled group scores. The second group also completed three two-hour cultural intelligence discussions and an intervention where they employed the spiritual formation practices of lectio divina, vizio divina, and audio divina, each with the theme of the practice on culturally diverse scenarios. Quantitative and qualitative data taken from the cultural intelligence assessment shows scores in all of the CQ domains and subdomains, particularly the subdomain “CQ drive: intrinsic interest” and a separate assessment in which participants responded to questions regarding the amount of spiritual formational exercises they participated in during the project timeline. Participants completed this spiritual formation-themed assessment at three intervals during the assessment and training period. This project aims to show analytical overlap between the assessment data from the Cultural Intelligence Assessment and the spiritual formation surveys in order to determine if the application of spiritual formation practices aimed at culturally diverse themes increases one’s cultural intelligence scores, particularly in the subdomain of “intrinsic interest” of the “drive” domain

Abstract: This capstone project explores how individuals who adhere to a Reformed understanding of union with Christ can bridge the gap between knowing Jesus as an expositional reality and experiencing Him as a personal reality through the integration of Ignatian spiritual practices. Many within the Reformed tradition emphasize an understanding of union with Christ that is predominantly objective and relationally passive, primarily through the exposition of Scripture and engagement with the Sacraments. There is often a reluctance to incorporate spiritual practices that intentionally invite subjective and relationally interactive aspects of knowing God in concert with the ordinary means of grace. Furthermore, the pursuit of an experiential relationship with Christ through Ignatian spirituality may be viewed with skepticism, perceived as unnecessary, and potentially leading to dangerous forms of legalism, mysticism, or Gnosticism. As a result, discipleship can suffer, lacking a dynamic, experiential engagement with God through union with Christ. This project demonstrates that union with Christ, as understood in the Reformed tradition, can become more experientially real through the integration of Ignatian spiritual practices. The study begins by examining how God desires to be known experientially through union with Christ as revealed in the Gospel of John, engaging both Reformed and Ignatian perspectives. It then explores how insights from social science, particularly the work of Tanya Luhrmann, support this thesis. Specific Ignatian practices, such as the “Act of the Presence of God,” the “Examen,” and “Ignatian Contemplation,” are analyzed to highlight their constructive role in fostering an experiential union with Christ. Additionally, this capstone project outlines the design and implementation of a twelve week retreat-in-everyday-life for micro-groups within Matthew’s Table Church that introduces participants who hold to a Reformed view of union with Christ, as developed in the Gospel of John, to Ignatian spiritual practices aimed at cultivating a deeper, experiential communion with Christ. The study concludes with an analysis of research findings based on quantitative assessment scales derived from Luhrmann’s research, followed by reflections on the project's impact, implications, and significance for spiritual formation in a local church.

Abstract: In an era of rapidly changing digital communication and social media interactions, respectful, thoughtful, and humble discourse has become increasingly important. The rise of online interactions has introduced new challenges for communication, often characterized by polarization and tribalism, contentious debates, and an overwhelming lack of civility. In view of this crisis of communication, the cultivation of intellectual humility has never been more crucial. This project explores the role of lectio divina, an ancient monastic practice of spiritual reading, in promoting intellectual humility and its potential impact on online interactions. Specifically, this study aims to examine how the practice of lectio divina, when integrated into daily life, can influence the ways in which individuals engage with others in online settings, leading to more thoughtful, reflective, and respectful exchanges.

Abstract: This study examines the intersection between complementarian theology and codependency among women in Southern Baptist congregations. It delves into the potential influence of complementarian teaching on codependent thinking and behavior among women, a topic that remains largely unexplored. Complementarianism, a theological framework that emphasizes distinct gender roles, is characterized by exclusive male leadership and the expectation of submission to male authority, and has the potential to significantly shape women's self-perceptions and relationships. Codependency is a pattern of behavior in which individuals excessively prioritize the needs and emotions of others, often to the detriment of their well-being. In the context of women specifically, codependency may involve a tendency to excessively focus on caring for and pleasing others, particularly in interpersonal relationships. Codependency can manifest in behaviors such as neglecting one's own needs, enabling unhealthy behavior in others, having difficulty setting boundaries, and experiencing feelings of low self-worth or inadequacy. This study employs a mixed-methods research approach to comprehensively assess the impact of complementarianism on Southern Baptist women. The diverse range of participants, including women aged 36-80, representing various marital statuses and church experiences, ensures a broad and inclusive perspective. Quantitative data includes an attitudinal survey and a standardized codependency assessment, as well as qualitative data from unstructured interviews. Some participants found compatibility between their beliefs and relational dynamics, while others reported significant harm. The findings reveal themes of reduced self-worth, self-neglect, and over-functioning. Participants described experiences of suppressed autonomy, marginalization, and unhealthy emotional dependence. Rigid complementarian teachings are often linked to patterns of unhealthy self-sacrifice and decreased personal agency. This study's findings contribute significantly to ongoing discussions of the intersection of theology and psychology. They underscore the need to further explore complementarianism's practical implications and influence on women’s emotional well-being and mental health.

Abstract: "Evidence based treatments for trauma diagnoses range from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to more specialized approaches such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, yet no one approach has been identified as the “gold standard” of treatment (Benish, Imel, Wampold, 2008). Recent studies (Barber, Connolly, Crits-Christoph, Gladis, & Siqueland [2009], Horvath & Symonds, 1991) are indicating that one reason for this is that the working alliance between therapist and client is more important to therapeutic change than the approach used. This alliance, especially when combined with a focus on the reduction of negative religious coping skills (Pargament, Koeing, & Perez, 2000), may be a key factor to approaching trauma treatment. This study looked at the impact of feedback forms and religious coping skills on the overall change for clients reporting trauma symptoms as a reason for attending therapy. Hypothesis (1) stated that those with trauma symptoms were more likely to consider therapy successful when they have a reduced use of negative religious coping skills. Hypothesis (2) stated that there would be a relationship between those who reported a strong working alliance with their therapist and those who reported a decrease in trauma symptoms. The results indicated that a reduction in negative coping skills was correlated with reduction in trauma symptoms. Additional results showed a relationship between the age and experience of the therapist and change in trauma symptoms. The study shows a relationship between the reduction of trauma symptoms in therapy and a lowering of overall symptoms in therapy, which would indicate the importance of trauma work in therapy."

Abstract: "This study examined the interrelationship between gendered perceptions of transitional space threat and the internalization of sexist narratives. This study incorporated the theories of ambivalent sexism (Glick & Fiske, 1996) and the ecology of fear (Brown et al., 1999) to evaluate whether participants' levels of ambivalent sexism is correlated with their affective experience or personal safety anxiety. Participants completed the ambivalent sexism inventory (ASI), the personal safety and vigilance scale (PSAVS), and the sexual experiences survey (SES). Study findings revealed a moderating effect of gender on the relationship between ambivalent sexism and personal safety anxiety (PSAVS). Results indicated a statistically significant positive correlation between levels of ambivalent sexism and personal safety anxiety for male participants but not for female participants. Regardless of their levels of ambivalent sexism, female participants estimated a higher risk of experiencing harm and employed vigilance and threat mitigation behaviors to a higher degree than male participants did."

Abstract: "This study explores changes in psychological flexibility as a result of psychotherapy, and ways that those changes may be related to the overall treatment outcome. It has been proposed that the changes in psychotherapy are due to common factors, such as therapeutic alliance, rather than intervention-specific factors (Wampold & Imel, 2015). The introduction of psychological flexibility as a therapeutic focus in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)has raised the question of its role in the process of change. This study aims to understand whether psychological flexibility may be a central ingredient in change, or another measure of patient global distress. Data from a psychotherapy outcomes project were compiled which measured patients’ (n = 1664) global functioning, social functioning, global distress, and psychological flexibility (as measured by items from the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire II) in various stages of treatment. Factor analysis showed flexibility to load on a common factor of improvement, and the three items had a strong alpha of .78. Correlational analysis showed that changes in global functioning and changes in psychological flexibility were significant and strong predictors of change in symptoms (r =.73 for symptoms and .69 for functioning, exceeding predictions based on reliability, both at p < .0001). Flexibility was second only to change in functioning in predicting symptom reduction. These findings support the hypothesis that increasing psychological flexibility may be a key factor in positive changes from psychotherapy. Implications for future developments in treatment and interventions from an ACT perspective are discussed."

Abstract: "The present study examines the relationship between attachment dimensions and symptom change in therapy using the Adult Attachment Scale and the Brief Adult Outcome Questionnaire. It was hypothesized that higher levels on the closeness and dependence dimension of attachment, the lower the symptom severity at the time of the last assessment. It was also hypothesized that the high levels on the anxious dimension of attachment, the higher the symptom severity at the time of the last assessment. The results showed no significant data to support the hypothesis. However, there were significant correlations found between the close attachment dimension and pre-treatment social functioning scores, the anxiety dimension and both pre-treatment symptom scores and pre-treatment functioning scores, and the close attachment dimension and the depend attachment dimension."

Abstract: "The decision to disclose same-sex attractions (SSA) to family or friends by Christian male sexual minority individuals has great implications for the psychological and social adjustment of these individuals. The purpose of the study is to begin exploring how shame and grace may factor in to the disclosure and concealment decisions of SSA among adult Christian male sexual minority individuals who were reared in Evangelical families of origin. An analysis of the data provided by 56 male sexual minority individuals from Christian families of origin will be presented, specifically regarding the hypotheses that increased levels of internalized shame are significantly and positively related to concealment of SSA to family and friends, whereas high levels of grace are significantly and positively related to disclosure of SSA to family and friends. Results and indications for further study on the relationship among grace, shame, and disclosure of SSA among Christian male sexual minority individuals will be discussed."

Abstract: "Undergraduate students across America have reported feeling intellectually phony, and they often live with the fear of being labeled as a fraud. This internal experience occurs in spite of external success and accomplishments. The feeling that their success is due to luck, attractiveness, chance, or even hard work and not their competency, is known as imposter phenomenon (IP). Few studies have explored IP in minorities, and none have explored IP among students attending historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). To address the gaps in research, this study explored the relationship between first-generation status, type of schooling, GPA, geographical upbringing, socioeconomic status, class year, campus-connectedness, self-compassion, and IP scores among Black female undergraduate students."

Abstract: "Research has demonstrated the benefits of mindfulness interventions with individuals, and more recently with couples. Mindfulness interventions show efficacy in reducing anxiety, increasing present-centered awareness, and reducing emotional reactivity. While most research incorporating mindfulness techniques with couples has focused on correlational designs, the field of research could be expanded by studies that seek to incorporate specific mindfulness meditations with couples in relational distress that are currently undergoing couple therapy. What follows is an analysis of the current research related to incorporating mindfulness interventions with couple therapy as well as a proposal for future research that incorporates mindfulness meditations within couple therapy sessions."

Abstract: "In recent decades, society has become increasingly globalized, fragmented, and individualized, leading to a greater number of individuals living in cross-cultural environments. The effects of a cross-cultural lifestyle were first observed by sociologists in a group of Indian men and women who pursued foreign education in Britain or the United States. This group of Western-educated Indians became known as Third Culture Kids (TCKs), a term that encapsulated the feelings of intrapersonal development and uniqueness that came alongside a foreign education (Useem & Useem, 1955). In the decades since Useem and Useem’s (1955) original study, the term Third Culture Kids has been expanded to include the increasing number of individuals in this group and their unique experiences. Though each TCK experience is unique, current researchers have identified certain themes and challenges that seem widespread among those with an international upbringing (Pollock, Van Reken, & Pollock, 2017). In addition to being raised in a genuinely cross-cultural and highly mobile world, the majority of TCKs face difficulties with identity development as a result of their experiences. TCKs who return to their passport countries commonly do so from ages 18-25, during the developmental stage of later adolescence. Later adolescence, when described by the psychosocial theory of development, explains the unique challenges that accompany relational, individual, and cultural development. Psychosocial theory also provides a comprehensive understanding of how the uniqueness of a TCK’s upbringing impacts these areas of intra- and interpersonal development. University students typically explore challenges with identity development within peer groups, which can serve as an ideal platform for TCKs to integrate their early life experiences and process the unresolved grief that accompanies cultural transition. Unresolved grief has been utilized by modern grief researchers to describe experiences in which what is lost is hidden or not clearly defined (Pollock et al., 2017). For example, a TCK who moves to a Sub-Saharan African country from Chicago may grieve the loss of winter, wind, and skyscrapers, but be unable to articulate how losing these things equates to a loss of “home”. Research shows that stories told within peer groups in university settings serve as a platform for TCKs to articulate these losses (Bushong, 2013; Neimeyer, 2001; Pollock et al., 2017). Finally, though long-term treatment plans for unresolved grief have been developed, positive integration of the experience of loss into a TCK’s identity is only achieved through a long-lasting, deep sense of resilience. Resilience is developed over time in individuals, families, and societies who are able to achieve positive adaptation in the context of adversity (Carpenter, 2013; Min et al., 2013; Silk et al., 2007; Walsh, 2006, 2007). Many TCKs experience difficulties maintaining a high level of resilience when they return to the United States to attend university, yet the correlation between these difficulties and resilience levels in Third Culture Kids has yet to be thoroughly studied."

Abstract: "Research on Christian constructs has gained more attention in the past several years as the role of spirituality in psychological health is investigated. Research on the dimensions of grace has been linked to positive aspects of well-being such as lower levels of anxiety and depression. The constructs of hedonic tone and the intolerance of uncertainty are previously-established psychological constructs that also relate to negative affect that underlies anxiety and depression. This study furthered research on perceptions of grace to give a fuller picture of the well-being of counseling clients. This study hypothesized that positive perceptions of grace would correlate negatively with intolerance of uncertainty and positively with hedonic tone, and that hedonic tone would correlate negatively with intolerance of uncertainty. Thirty counseling clients were surveyed, and the results found that the first two hypotheses were supported while the third was not. Implications for further research are discussed."

Abstract: "As tenure has decreased and burnout has become common among Christian pastors, research strongly suggests that a pastor's personality plays a key role in these changes. The present study evaluated the ability of the NEO PI-R and Oswald Clergy Burnout Scale (OCBI) to predict pastoral tenure, measured by a self-report questionnaire. From a sample of 98 pastors from a small evangelical Christian denomination in the U. S., 27 questionnaires were completed and returned. No significant correlations were found between the Big Five personality traits and tenure. A Post-hoc analysis revealed significant relationship between the conscientiousness facet of Order and tenure. Additionally there were large effect sizes for Extraversion and Openness to Experience between the study's male sample and the normed male sample for the NEO PI-R. Implications for training and counseling pastors from this specific denomination as well as limitations of the current study and suggestions for further research are discussed."

Abstract: "Grace is a burgeoning topic of research within the Christian psychological research community. The doctrine of grace is foundational to Christian faith, and as such ought to have a weighty place within Christian counseling. The term “grace” gives Christian counselors a language to use in communicating the psychological ideas of coping skills, psychological resilience, and non-judgmental acceptance with Christian clients There have been a few studies to date which have studied the construct of grace, determining whether grace is a needed research area, creating scales which measure grace, and defining the parameters of this construct. This study intends to build upon this previous research and answer the question of whether enacted grace (as measured by the Richmont Grace Scale, RGS) is a construct which changes over time, in correlation with a broad construct of mental health (Personality Assessment Screener, PAS). Likely due to a limited number of participants, the findings of this study were not significant, but there does seem to be a trend towards participants having a more robust view of grace over the course of 12 counseling sessions. Further research in this area seems warranted."

Abstract: "This study examines how religious orientation relates to Christian church members’ comfort levels with same-gender attracted persons attending church services, receiving membership, volunteering, working, and pastoring in their church compared with persons with unspecified attraction engaging in various sexual behaviors. The I-E Religious Orientation scale (Allport & Ross, 1967) and the Quest scale (Batson, 1976) were both utilized to measure religious orientation, and the Comfort Towards Sexual Behaviors in the Church Survey (Comfort Survey) was created to measure levels of comfort. The author hypothesized: 1) Church members will be less comfortable with same-gender attracted members than with those engaging in other sexual behaviors, 2) this difference in comfort will increase in each successive subitem, 3) Quest scores will correlate with levels of comfort across all items, 4) Intrinsic religion will correlate with levels of comfort across all items except same-gender attraction items, and 5) Extrinsic religion will negatively correlate with levels of comfort. Many results were statistically significant but did not support all the hypotheses. Unexpectedly, participants reported greater comfort with same-gender attraction dimensions than those with unspecified attraction, even at the pastoral level. Quest scores positively correlated with levels of comfort across all dimensions and items. Intrinsic scores negatively correlated with comfort, and extrinsic scores positively correlated with comfort. This data will help counselors provide assistance in helping LGBTQ+ clients find a safe place to worship. Additionally, it will help inform counselors and church leaders of areas of sensitivity within the Church."

Abstract: "This thesis reviewed literature exploring the factors contributing to spirituality and their effects on the development of self-concept in girls and women. Self-esteem, self-concept, and self-image, although closely related, were distinct constituents of mental health. Although religiousness and spirituality appeared to describe different concepts, they also were not fully independent. Christian spiritual formation was identified by the practice of spiritual disciplines and acts of faith with others. Spiritual and religious involvement were consistently and positively related to health and inversely related to disorders. However, there was inadequate conceptualization of Christian spirituality in the literature as an explanation effecting self- concept. Review of the evidence indicated that continued research is needed regarding the integration of spiritual disciplines as predictors for a distinct spiritual formation in women. Further research may provide evidence that healthy self-concept in women increases as a function of Christian spiritual formation."

Abstract: "Clergy play a significant role in providing counseling for individuals with mental health concerns, yet often their formal education does not include adequate counseling training, which can leave them feeling less than confident in their ability to help. Lack of awareness about mental health issues also has an impact on how clergy referral to mental health providers. The goal of this study was to determine the perceptions that clergy have about whether their education prepared them for pastoral counseling. It also evaluated the competency ministers perceive themselves to have and compared their responses to those of mental health professionals. While the hypothesis that at least 50% of clergy would believe that their education did not prepare them for pastoral counseling overall was not supported, there were high levels of variability regarding the issue. Clergy generally agree that their education does not prepare them for counseling individuals with mental illness. Clergy’s beliefs about their self-perceived competence in pastoral counseling were inconsistent with their beliefs about the preparation they received from their education. Their self-perceived competence levels were higher than anticipated based upon their beliefs about their education. Mental health professionals had a significantly higher belief that their education prepared them for counseling and in their self perceived competence. Ninety-six percent of the clergy indicated that they would refer individuals to a mental health professional if they believed a mental illness were involved. Implications of findings are discussed in relation to the need for theological higher education institutions to review the training they provide."

Abstract: "The study comprises an attempt to give a voice to the unheard. The aim is to capture the narratives of women married to men in ministry leadership roles, with an acknowledgement that there are also ministry women, married and unmarried; as well as unmarried male ministers. This paper is specifically targeted to highlight wives of male leadership. Although much empirical research has been published on the effects of stress on men and women in full-time ministry, few studies have explored the impact on the ministry wife or the effects on her family. In this study, ministry will be defined as fulltime, salaried career in a church or nonchurch religious agency. Therefore the purpose of this study was to explore the satisfaction, expectations, fears, regrets, and insights of the fishbowl life through exploring collected women's narratives. Twenty-six ministers' wives volunteered to be interviewed by phone and in person using a semi-structured interview of seven open-ended questions. The consistently relevant themes revealed through the transparency of the stories were shared fears, stain, and satisfaction, and identity in the role of minister's wife. As the author of this paper was once a minister's wife, there was a personal bias of interest to allow a platform on which the women of this study might be allowed to speak."

Abstract: "This study serves as a preliminary study for assessing the effects of process groups within the church. Because little to no research has been done on the efficacy of process groups, permissions to perform the study within a church could not be obtained. Thus, the present study begins to fill this gap in the research. It examines the effects of process groups on perceived cohesion and sense of community within the larger educational community at a Christian graduate university, with the hypotheses that participation in a process group will increase (1) perceived cohesion and (2) sense of community within the larger educational community as compared to a control group. Study participants are comprised of test group students, who participated in process groups as part of a group counseling class, and a control group of students, who had not yet taken the group counseling course. In this study, process group participants completed measures of perceived cohesion and sense of community before and after participating in the process groups, and control group participants complete the measure twice in an eight week period without participation in a process group. The change in means is calculated for each group and compared using an Independent Samples T-test. No significant difference between the results for the process group and control group are found; however, based on the limitation of this study, further research in this area is suggested."

Abstract: "Distress related to sexual frequency and desire is the most common relationship issue that couples present with in marital therapy. Spouses often experience distress when there is a discrepancy between levels of sexual desire within the relationship. Recent research has begun to focus on how desire discrepancies between couples are related to marital distress, but this research has been yielded mixed results surrounding the origin of the distress. New research has emerged that suggests that the perception of the desire discrepancy is more important than the actual discrepancy, and this finding may have a profound impact on how systemic therapists approach treating low desire in the marital dyad. In an effort to better understand the relationship between perception, desire discrepancy, and relationship satisfaction, this study surveyed 79 married, predominantly highly educated, heterosexual, and non-clinical couples. Instruments administered included the Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale (RDAS), the Golombok-Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS) Sexual Dissatisfaction scale, and the Couple Sexual Desire Distress (CSDD) index. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to determine if individual sexual desire levels, sexual desire discrepancy between partners, or the perceived discrepancy was more predictive of distress related to sexual desire issues in a couple. The majority of variance in couple-reported sexual and marital distress was predicted by desire discrepancy, with wives reporting more distress than husbands. The wives’ distress as measured by the RDAS and GRISS had a greater correlation with relationship distress than did the husband’s. The high desire spouse’s perception of the desire discrepancy was the most significant predictor of both sexual and marital distress. Put another way, decreased level of congruence between the low desire spouse’s self-report and their partner’s report was predictive of increased sexual distress. Additionally, sexual desire distress was found to be more strongly related to relationship adjustment for wives and sexual dissatisfaction for husbands. Implications for future research and therapy are discussed."

Abstract: "The impact of parenting style on the psychosocial functioning of offspring has been the subject of significant research over the last several decades. Yet, it remains relatively unstudied in its relationship to the offspring’s attachment to God and understanding of grace. Attachment theory has provided a theoretical stance to evaluate one’s relationship to God. Results of secure attachment to God have consistently been associated with adaptive psychosocial outcomes. Grace, a core tenet of the Christian faith, has recently been psychometrically constructed through the creation of the Dimensions of Grace Scale. Because grace is linked to adaptive psychosocial functioning and is a core tenet of Christian faith, it is a relevant domain of assessment previously untapped in its relationship to both attachment to God and parenting styles. Results of the study reveal that participants who rated their parents higher in authoritativeness yielded positive correlations with secure attachment to God scores and scored higher on all facets of the Dimensions of Grace Scale when compared to participants who rated their parents higher in authoritarianism or permissiveness. Results also revealed a significant correlation between one’s attachment to God style and one’s understanding of grace. The results suggest that the more secure the individual’s attachment to God, the higher the individual’s understanding of grace."

Abstract: "This exploratory study contains two primary components: a literature review and an exploratory qualitative study. The literature review sought to engage with the question of how present-day White Americans experience intergenerational offender stress responses (a working term defined in detail below) as a result of their direct and indirect participation in America's history of systemic racism through slavery and other forms of dehumanization and assault on people of color. The literature review also sought to explore the presence, function, and nuances of the [likely manifold] stress responses related to the phenomenon of being intergenerational offenders. In doing so, the researchers have attempted to understand how to articulate the unique nature of these stress responses in an effort to provide windows into the process of intentional healing. Providing a landscape of current phenomena that are likely associated with these stress responses can offer context into the complexity of the issue as well as entry points to metabolizing the stress response. While a myriad of topics could be explored the literature review examined the phenomena of White Americans' implicit bias; shame, shut-down, and/or denial when discussing race, epigenetics, altered societal memory; White-body supremacy; and the rise of extreme nationalism."

This qualitative exploratory research study was conducted through semi-structured interviewing of six self-identifying Christian parents of historically marginalized communities that have adopted children. Through analysis, the research discovered that participants shared common perspectives within the interviews that mirrored themes identified by Firmin et al. (2017). Extending their results allowed for an enhanced understanding of how ethnic status may influence motivations for adopting among Christians. This study contributed to the identification of nuances specific to minoritized ethnic groups who adopt. These nuances were: (1) adoption due to experiential relationship to God, (2) attuning to a need, (3) church support, (4) accepting and supporting community, and (5) support from extended family.

Abstract: "This study focuses on perceptions and practices of wellness among students in CACREP-accredited counselor education programs. Surveying students in the MACMHC programs at Richmont Graduate University and Wheaton College Graduate School, the study gathered information regarding students' perceptions of their institutions' and professors' promotions of wellness and self-care, their own value of wellness and self-care, and their own practices of self-care. Findings indicated that students endorsed a high level of importance placed on wellness and self-care as promoted by their institutions and professors. However, students rated the frequency of engagement in self-care behaviors at a lower level. There appeared to be an incongruence between rated importance of wellness and behavioral implementation of self-care strategies to achieve such valued wellness."

Abstract: "Adoption is popular way to grow one’s family. The 2010 U.S. Census Bureau (2012) found that there were over 2 million adopted children living currently with their adoptive parents. While some parents adopt due to infertility issues, others adopted for different reasons, including the positive experience during parenting their biological children. Previous research has investigated the impact of adoption on the adoptee’s adjustment and overall functioning (Brodzinksy & Brodzinksy, 1992; Sharma, McGue, & Benson, 1998; Tan, 2008). Little research has been performed on the impact of adoption on existing family siblings, and there is no research published currently that has examined how the adoptive parent’s view of grace impacts their biological child’s behavior either with or without an adopted sibling. This study used the Richmont Grace Scale, Child Behavior Checklist for ages 6-18, and a basic demographic questionnaire completed by 47 parents through snowball sampling via an online survey. Results showed the relationship between parents’ views of grace and their biological child’s behavior. The results also showed a significant positive correlation between parents who identify as Christian and scores on the Richmont Grace Scale. Implications for parents and parent educators will be discussed as well as future research implications."

Abstract: "Emerging adulthood is a new stage of development that has been identified in the past few decades. Individuals are entering independent adulthood at a later age than has previously been seen. In this stage of development, individuals are going to college, determining a career, and searching for a spouse. This study examined how the death of a loved one can affect an emerging adult's God image. The hypotheses was not proven, but trends were found that emerging adults differed from older adults on the influence, benevolence, and acceptance dimensions of the God Image Scale."

Abstract: "The present study examines the relationship between adult group therapy participants' conflict styles and their perceptions of group therapy effectiveness using the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Modes Instrument and a Likert scale questionnaire created by the principle investigator to quantify participant perceptions. It was hypothesized that those with cooperative conflict styles (collaborative and accommodating) would score higher on overall effectiveness than those with uncooperative styles and those who are not willingly participants in group therapy (required by law or work). It was also hypothesized that unassertive conflict styles (avoiding and accommodating) would score lower in the areas of behavioral, mood, and relational change while assertive types (competing and collaborative) would score higher in areas of behavioral, mood, and relational change. In addition, assertive conflict styles would be more likely to score high on items relating to confrontation than unassertive styles. The results showed no significant data to support the hypotheses. However, there were significant findings concerning the use and development o the Perceptions of Effectiveness of Therapy Measure and implications for future research in the area of conflict management in therapy."

Abstract: "Student-athletes represent a unique population who are at an increased risk for perfection­ ism, negative cognitions, and emotional and behavioral difficulties. Student-athletes often are juggling academic responsibilities, athletic obligations, and interpersonal relationships and at times are pressured to be presented as an ideal public image of a perfect student-athlete (Goodman et al., 2014). Although previous research has established a clear inverse relationship be­ tween mindfulness and performance anxiety, little is known about the potential influence of self-­compassion on performance anxiety and flow among student-athletes. The present study explored the predictive value of self-compassion among student-athletes, hypothesizing that higher levels of self-compassion would relate to increased levels of flow and decreased levels of per­ performance anxiety. This study replicated past research on mindfulness and performance anxiety. The unique contribution of this study is the finding specifically for the outcome of flow, high­ lighting that self-compassion explains an additional 18% of the variance in student-athletes' flow, above and beyond the influence of mindfulness, which accounted for 9% of the variance explained in flow."

Abstract: "The question of whether and how animal-assisted counseling (AAC) can reduce stress and anxiety in graduate students has evoked interest in research forums. Recent methodological advances have spurred investigations into how dogs influence the reduction of stress and anxiety in adults with clinical disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and major depressive disorder (MDD). A review of the current literature of animal-assisted counseling has highlighted the invluence of the human-dog bond, and researchers have proposed theoretical explanations for the benefits of animal-assisted counseling. The present study investigated how therapeutic interaction with dogs reduces the effects of stress on counselors in training (CITs) participating in group supervision. Results indicated favorable benefits of having a dog present in that it did help reduce anxiety during presentation, yet non-significant findings comparing augmented versus regular AAC interventions suggest further research is needed."

Abstract: "The relationship between spiritual struggles and mental health symptomology has received increased attention in recent years. The majority of research has shown that spiritual struggles are often linked with negative psychological functioning, such as increased depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms. Psychotherapy effectiveness is a field that has also been heavily researched. This study examines the relationship between decreases in spiritual struggles and psychotherapy outcomes. We hypothesized that there would be a positive relationship between decreasing spiritual struggles and improved psychotherapy outcomes. Utilizing a questionnaire developed by A Collaborative Outcomes Research Network, we compared the self-reports of 1,729 individuals. 474 of those studied experienced decrease in spiritual struggles as therapy progressed. The hypothesis was supported by a total effect size of 1.18. Those whose spiritual struggles decreased through the course of therapy were more likely to experience a reduction in their negative psychological symptoms."

Abstract: "Adolescence is characterized by rapid and complex developmental changes, which are distinct from childhood and adulthood. Therefore, the mental health needs of adolescents may be different from other populations. Ample research in the area of psychotherapy shows that a key predictor of successful therapy outcome is the strength of the relationship between the client and the mental health professional providing therapy, the therapeutic alliance, which may be even more important with adolescents. This study uses assessments of client symptoms, stressors, and the perceived strength of relationship between client and mental health professional to test for differences in therapeutic alliance in adults and adolescents. The study results show that the Therapeutic Alliance Score for adolescents (M=0.38) was significantly higher than for adults (M=0.08) at the p<.001 level. This supports the hypothesis that adolescents feel a weaker connection to mental health care providers, with adults showing a statistically significant difference in strength of a therapeutic alliance. Yet, this difference in therapeutic alliance does not seem to have influenced positive symptoms change. Instead, adolescents may be more likely to express negative feelings towards mental health care providers when compared to adults, even if a meaningful therapeutic alliance is formed. More research is needed to understand the factors that influence a therapeutic alliance with adolescents and how this then influences positive symptoms change."

Abstract: "For many persons, religious or spiritual beliefs and practices are central to their identity (Pargament, 2007; Pargament, 2011). However, whether religion is seen as a resource to the healing process or a hindrance can significantly impact the effects of therapy. Negative religious coping practices in particular are seen as hindering the progress of therapy and need to be changed if therapy is to achieve its goals. Failure to change negative religious coping may lead to hopelessness, discouragement, and increases in depression and anxiety, and also to distance in their relationship with God (Harrison, Koenig, Eme-Akwari, & Pargament, 2001). The current study tracks the relationships of changes in negative religious coping, the effects of these changes on the symptoms of depression and anxiety, and the relationship of these to the quality of the therapeutic alliance. Forming a good alliance should predict decreases in negative religious coping, and both will predict better therapy outcome. From a client sample of N = 1286 that were given Outcome Questionnaires (OQs) to complete, 983 responded as being religious or spiritual. Findings show a significant correlation between change in symptoms, change in daily functioning, change in social functioning, and severity adjusted effect size. Results in this study are consistent with prior studies showing that negative religious coping can, in fact, impact therapy outcomes. Moreover, this study further establishes the link between negative religious coping and the symptoms related to anxiety and depression in clients."

Abstract: "While African- American comprise of 13% of the United States Population (United States Census Bureau, 2010), Shin (2005) argues that individuals from the African-American population have been found to have less access to mental health services, a lower probability of receiving needed services, and a greater likelihood of receiving poor quality of care, thus influencing retention during treatment and the efficacy of counseling. One reason for this might be an issue related to being seen by someone who is not an African-American and thus the therapeutic alliance, a key to successful therapy, is weakened. Research is showing how vital therapeutic alliance is to outcome in counseling, so tracking the outcome of counseling with African-Americans based on the ethnic match of their counselors could give insight into the role match plays in making counseling effects (Duncan, Miller, Wampold, & Hubble, 2011). The present study examines the relationship of client-therapist match during treatment to therapeutic alliance, treatment outcome, and change in depressive and anxious symptoms. There was a total sample of 1286 clients from Richmont Graduate University (RGU)’s network of counseling centers in the Atlanta and Chattanooga areas. The subjects included 60 therapists, 9 were African-American and 51 Caucasian. There were 28 African American clients. The study found that Caucasian therapists have significantly better alliances with Caucasian than with African-American clients (p<.001), African American clients matched with Caucasian therapists showed a stronger therapeutic alliance than with African American therapists (p<.05), and client-therapist match did not relate to change in anxious and depressed symptoms."

Abstract: "Alexithymia can be understood as a hindrance or inability to understand and express how one is feeling (Teixeira & Pereira, 2015). Individuals with alexithymia evidence deficits in emotional intelligence. For decades, research has investigated the relationship between alexithymia and other factors, such as body image, eating disorder, and trauma (Connelly & Denney, 2007). Less research has examined the relationship between alexithymia and emotion regulation. According to Larsen, Brand, Bermond, and Hijman (2002), alexithymia is considered to be a neurobiological dysfunction, but the purpose of this research is to provide insight into the environmental and behavioral influences in alexithymia. The purpose of this theoretical thesis is to increase the understanding of what alexityhmia is and how to improve emotional regulation through a proposed focus on mindfulness and self-compassion."

Abstract: "A review of the literature concerning the relationship between anorexia nervosa (AN) and religion reveals two disparate themes: religion as a cultivator and preserver of anorectic symptomology and religion as an advantageous treatment adjunct and recovery benefactor. The purpose of the present study was to address this discrepancy in order to gain insight into how religion might best be integrated into AN treatment by exploring two factors - view of God's grace and religious coping style - suspected to influence the role that religion assumes in the lives of individuals with AN. A sample of 134 women (M = 27.9, SD = 8.61) who self-identified as 18 years of age or older, of the Christian religious orientation, and having received an AN diagnosis completed measured of views of God's grace, religious coping style, and anorectic symptomology through means of an online assessment. Analyses revealed that religious coping style, but not views of God's grace, significantly predicted severity of anorectic symptomology. These findings suggest that religion should be integrated into AN treatment and that at least a portion of this integration should be devoted to assessment of patients' religious coping styles and to the equipping of patients with the tools necessary to apply their religion constructively."

Abstract: "Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is a complex, psychological disorder that has a poor prognosis, high relapse rates, and high mortality (Himmerich et al., 2019; Khalsa, Portnoff, McCurdy, & Feusner, 2017). Symptoms, including the maintenance of a low body weight, a preoccupation with weight and shape, and an intense fear of gaining weight characterize AN. Physical symptoms of AN include amenorrhea, lethargy, hypotension, bradycardia, dehydration and in severe cases, sudden cardiac death (APA, 2013; Treasure, Claudino & Zucker, 2010). Studies concluded the various symptoms of AN stem from genetic, neurobiological and environmental etiological factors (Bang, Treasure, Rø, & Joos, 2017; Dell'Osso et al., 2016; Dring, 2015; Gander, Sevecke, & Buchheim, 2018). These complex symptoms and etiological factors of AN contribute to the difficulty in the conceptualization, treatment and recovery from the disorder. Historically, AN has been conceptualized from many different perspectives, originating as medical disorder in 1689 and then as a psychological disorder in the late 1800s (Bhanji & Newton, 1985; Charcot, 1889; Gull, 1874). From a psychological perspective, AN was first related to a parenting failure and patients were removed from their family during treatment (Harper, 1983). After Salvador Minuchin proposed that the disorder was related to a problematic, family structure rather than a parenting failure, the family system became an integral part of treatment (Minuchin, Rosman, & Baker, 1978). A rigid, enmeshed, over-involved, and conflict avoidant family context was then seen as a primary etiological factor of AN (Minuchin et al., 1978). More recently, attachment-based theories, a branch of family-system perspectives, have proposed that AN is a survival response developed by individuals to feel safe, secure, seen, and soothed by caregivers, or a sense of a secure attachment (Gander et al., 2018; Robinson et al., 2015; Siegel, 2015). Some of the current treatments for AN still follow the systemic orientation, including Maudsley Family Therapy (MFT) and family-based therapy (FBT), however, most family-based treatments are developed for adolescents rather than adults (Conti et al., 2017; Le Grange, 2016; Schmidt, Wade, & Treasure, 2014). Other perspectives of AN, including cognitive-behavioral theory and social theories, postulate that the disorder is related to maladaptive beliefs and cognitions. Cognitive-behavioral theory views AN as a combination of maladaptive beliefs that elicit behavioral symptoms, such as restricting and over-exercising (Dahlenburg, Gleaves, & Hutchinson, 2019; Garner & Bemis, 1982). A social perspective proposes that AN is a vehicle for acceptance and admiration from peers and society (Dell'Osso et al., 2016). Culture-related stress, such as beauty standards, is another a factor that contributes to the development of AN. These perspectives treat AN by addressing maladaptive beliefs. More recently, studies have looked at the etiological impact of trauma on the development and maintenance of AN, as individuals with AN commonly have a history of child maltreatment, emotional abuse, interpersonal trauma, and adverse childhood circumstances (Gander et al., 2018; Malecki, Rhodes, & Ussher, 2018). This perspective views AN as a physical manifestation, or an embodiment, of trauma (Badenoch, 2018; Malecki et al., 2018). Now, some individuals with eating disorders receive trauma-informed treatment, however, more information is needed about the impact of trauma on individuals with AN (Brewerton, Alexander, & Schaefer, 2018)."

Several meta-analyses and systematic reviews of common psychological treatments for PTSD have demonstrated that dropout rates are high, particularly for treatments with a trauma focus. These findings suggest that more present-focused or mindfulness-based treatments for trauma may be more acceptable approaches for a subset of the population with PTSD and may yield higher retention rates.

Abstract: "Childhood Sexual Abuse victims experience significant shame, which hinders all relationships, including a therapeutic alliance in the counseling room. However, grace provides acceptance and assigns worth even to shamed individuals, and therefor appears to be the opposite of shame. For this study, volunteer participants were obtained through social media networks and brochures placed at counseling centers with 173 participants starting the survey and 97 participants completing the survey. The following measures were used: Abuse-Related Beliefs Questionnaire (ARBQ), Computer-Assisted Maltreatment Inventory (CAMI), Sexual Abuse Trauma Index (SATI), and the Richmont Grace Scale (RGS). It was found that an understanding of grace is significantly correlated (negative) with shame (r=-.365, p=.01). The outcome of this study is important because grace as an intervention appears to be useful in decreasing the devastating impact of shame."

Abstract: "This study compared how rape education, level of empathy, and association to a rape survivor impact levels of rape myth acceptance. Participants’ rape education consisted of either watching a rape survivor tell her story, or reading statistics about rape. There was no significant difference found between treatment conditions. Additionally no support was found for a relationship between levels of empathy and ratings of rape myth acceptance, nor was there support for association to a rape survivor and ratings of rape myth acceptance. Participants’ level of rape myth acceptance declined from pre to post-test, suggesting that rape education makes a difference in lowering levels of rape myth acceptance."

Abstract: "Researchers have demonstrated that both religion and spirituality can have positive influences on an individual's well-being, life satisfaction, and sense of belonging. Religion and spirituality can also serve as a protective factor against risky behaviors as well as numerous negative outcomes and events--such as adolescent substance abuse and early sexual activity. Similarly, religion and spirituality have been shown to bolster resilience and serve as a means to facilitate coping and posttraumatic growth. However there is far less research on what happens when abuse or trauma is perpetrated within the context of a religious or spiritual group. In recent years, there has been a steady increase in societal discussion of the impact of abuse or trauma perpetrated within religious/spiritual settings. This research has highlighted that potent negative consequences of such abuse can include depression, anger, decreased self-worth, fear, feelings of isolation, distrust across multiple domains, and even somatic symptoms as a result of the experience. This paper synthesizes and discusses existing research, articles, and book excerpts along with a case study to propose areas for inclusion when assessing for religious or spiritual abuse which can be implemented in numerous settings. Components of such assessment or screening tools will address internal, social, and situational aspects of the experience of spiritual abuse. Through discussion, comparison, and review of existing research, review of Koch and Edstrom's Spiritual Harm and Abuse scale, and a case illustration, the resulting proposed areas of consideration for assessment of spiritual abuse are designed to be utilized forfuture research, development of a screening tool, therapeutic consideration, and considerations during program evaluation of religious and spiritual settings."

Abstract: "An important and growing body of research is contributing to better understanding the relationship between childhood abuse and the religion or spirituality of those who experience it. After reviewing much of this research, Walker, Reid, O’Neil, and Brown (2009) have found this relationship to be complex—determined by a number of interacting variables. One important variable they identified was the function of religion or spirituality as a coping resource able to effectively moderate posttraumatic and other mental health symptoms related to childhood abuse. This proposal intends to build upon their work and to further explore the dynamics of religious coping and how it may contribute to reducing the prevalence and severity of posttraumatic symptoms in the wake of childhood abuse. To begin, I will define religion, spirituality, and a number of related terms and theoretical constructs. I will briefly highlight some of the major findings related to childhood abuse and its impact on survivors’ faith, and then review literature related to the moderating effects of religion and spirituality in adults and review what little research has been conducted on religious coping in young people. I will offer a framework based on attachment theory to explain how religion and spirituality might be effective in helping survivors cope with the impact of abuse. Finally, a study will be proposed to empirically examine the relationship between religious and spiritual forms of coping and mental health outcomes among children and adolescents who have suffered childhood abuse."

Abstract: "Chronic pelvic pain has been found to negatively impact quality of life by hindering mood, decreasing sleep, increasing the likelihood of long-term illnesses, and decreasing activities including sex and exercise (Grace & Zondervan, 2006). Pargament (2011) has found that there are both positive and negative religious coping mechanisms; positive religious coping tends to help with stresses, and negative religious coping hinders adjustment. Positive religious coping has been associated with well-being and quality of life (Pargament, 2011).Yet to date, no study has explored the impact of religious coping on the quality of life of those with chronic pelvic disease. The present study examines the relationship between religious coping and quality of life in women with chronic pelvic pain conditions. Women with chronic pelvic pain participated in an online survey which explored religious coping mechanisms and quality of life. Active religious practice was associated with quality of life, while positive religious coping showed less positive impact. A mediation analysis shows that negative religious coping mediates the relationship that active religious practice has on quality of life. These findings suggest the need for more research understanding how religious practice and religious coping relate with one another and impact quality of life in the population of women with chronic pelvic pain, while suggesting that those working with these women may want to actively address negative religious coping strategies."

Abstract: Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a disorder of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) that primarily impacts women. ANS disorders are characterized by a body's inability to self-regulate and prioritize internal resources. A similar dysregulation has been found in individuals with childhood relational trauma, as well as in women with internalizing problems (i.e., depression, anxiety, stress). Although previous research has established a relationship between childhood trauma and long-term adverse health outcomes, little is known about the impacts of relational trauma specifically, especially in how it can manifest both physically and emotionally. There is also a lack of research exploring the onset of POTS and what often appears as a sudden, unexplainable disruption of the ANS. The present study explored whether a relationship exists between symptoms associated with POTS, childhood relational trauma, and internalizing symptoms. Results revealed statistically significant correlations between experiences of childhood relational trauma, POTS-related symptoms, and depression, anxiety, and stress. Results also found that relational trauma predicted significant variance in emotional and physical functioning outcomes among women with POTS above and beyond the predictive salience of generalized trauma. This study implores the need for further research linking childhood relational trauma and the development of POTS symptoms, and it poses a reconceptualization of autonomic dysfunction and potential treatment. other professional and helping related variables in the Christian helping population. The researchers utilized an online survey platform to conduct research with the Professional Quality of Life Scale, the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale, the Spiritual Well-Being Scale, the Global Psychotrauma Scale, and the Adverse Childhood Experiences Survey. Participant (N=55) responses were found to reveal significantly high levels of burnout, compassion fatigue, and secondary traumatic stress in the sample when compared to normative data. Correlations between the three main variables and many of the other variables were found to be significant, in particular the variables assessed by the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (intrusion, avoidance, and arousal) and the Spiritual Well-Being Scale (religious and emotional well-being). In light of the primary findings of this study, clinicians and Christian groups should examine support structures for Christian helpers and in particular for those who are involved in trauma helping.

"Research has shown a link between adverse childhood experiences, dissociation, alexithymia, and the presence of autoimmune diseases. Only one other research study has examined the comorbidity between dissociation, alexithymia, and autoimmune diseases in survivors of adverse childhood experiences. The purpose of this study was to understand if the magnitude of adverse childhood experiences. The purpose of this study was to understand if the magnitude of adverse childhood experiences, dissociative symptoms, and alexithymia can predic t health-related quality of life among individuals with autoimmune diseases. Eighty-two participants were recruited through online autoimmune disease communities through Instagram and Facebook, and they completed a survey which included a) the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Scale, b) the Dissociative Experiences Scale 9DES), c) Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), and d) Short Form 36 (SF-36). The researcher hypothesized that higher levels of ACEs, dissociative symptoms, and alexithymia symptoms would predict higher degrees of severity of autoimmune disease symptoms. A hierarchal regression analysis was conducted to understand the relationship between these variables. results indicated that after controlling for adverse childhood experiences, both dissociative symptoms and alexithymia symptoms were statistically predictive of variance in emotional well-being among individuals with autoimmune diseases. Additionally, dissociative symptoms, but not alexithymia, were predictive of general health functioning.".

Abstract: "There is a growing need in the counseling field for research to examine the aspect of the working relationship between counselor and client and how that affects the outcome of counseling, especially among children. Recent studies (McElvaney & Timulak, 2013; Lambert, et al, 2002) have found that the outcome of counseling improved when the counselor was given feedback midway through the course of counseling on how the clients thought counseling was progressing. Few of these studies look at how the working relationship can affect the outcome of counseling with children. Research has shown the effect that the working relationship had on the outcome of counseling with adolescents was significant, but few studies have looked at childhood depression (Shirk et. al., 2008). Given the importance of religion and spirituality for many individuals, this is something that should be considered in outcome studies for children, with recent studies pointing in that direction (Pargament & Tarkeshar, 2001; Wade, Worthington, & Vogel, 2007). The current study assesses religious coping in children with depressive and anxious symptoms and therapeutic alliance compared to the overall change in symptoms (outcome) of counseling. Hypothesis (1) states that the measure of the therapeutic alliance will positively relate to counseling outcome. Hypothesis (2) states that the measure of the religious coping will positively relate to counseling outcome. A significant difference was found between adult and child therapeutic alliance though it did not have a significant relationship with the outcome. Religious coping also did not have a significant relationship with counseling outcome."