YEAR : 2011
Counselling and Spirituality, Volume 30 Number 1 : Spring
THEME : Spirituality and Resilience
■ Article in French
Martínez de Pisón, R. (2011). Empowered by healing Counselling and Spirituality, 30(1), 13-28
Abstract : Violence in its many forms continues to be rampant both in the West and throughout the world. Unfortunately it is increasing at an alarming rate at the individual, cultural, psychological, physical and sexual levels. Beyond contributing to physical and psychological suffering, beyond even its sometimes fatal consequences, violence destroys relationships. Indeed, it destroys the humanity of the victim and of the one who perpetrates the violence. Thus, healing the wounds and sufferings, as well as removing the scars inflicted by violence and by other unfortunate events is essential to becoming reconciled with oneself and, if possible, with others. This process is needed for resiliency. However, such healing is not always easy. It requires, first of all, that people enter into a process of “remembering” the unfortunate events that have affected the injured persons so that those involved may come to realize the truth of what really happened. Secondly, the victim must be able to forgive him or her self before engaging in forgiveness of those persons responsible for the injury. Thirdly, the victim has to enter into the process of transformation from being one who sees him or her self as a victim to one who sees him or her self as a person who accepts healing. Finally, it is important to consider the pastoral implications arising from these considerations. In this article, the author presents a “heuristic model” which could be applied to the healing process in general.
■ Article in French
Anaut, M. (2011). From trauma to freedom: A clinical application of the process of resilience. Counselling and Spirituality, 30(1), 29-44
Abstract : Crisis situations and traumatic life events can trigger a disruption in psychological and social well-being. Some individuals demonstrate resilience in the face of the traumatic experience while others do not. How is one to understand the process of resilience from the point of view of theory and clinical application? This paper shares reflections on the function and process of resilience and its theoretical basis. From this analysis, a framework of clinical intervention to accompany vulnerable individuals and their families through the process of resilience is proposed.
■ Article in French
Bellehumeur, C. R. (2011). The interconnection between resiliency, spirituality and Durand’s perspective on imagination. Counselling and Spirituality, 30(1), 45-70
Abstract : : This paper focuses on the contribution of the imagination with regards to our understanding of the relationship between resiliency and spirituality. Going beyond a psychologically-biased perspective of the common processes seen in spirituality and resiliency, we broaden our scope by taking sociocultural influences into greater account. To do so, we call upon the Theory of Anthropological Structures of the Imagination, developed by Gilbert Durand (1960). This theory allows us to deepen our understanding of the possible connections between resiliency and spirituality. To illustrate this matter, two brief case examples of resiliency – that of a teenage girl in mourning and that of an elderly man facing his own death – are examined according to the interconnected perspectives of resiliency and spirituality in light of Durand’s theory of imagination.
■ Article in English
Ogden, H., Harris, J. I., Erbes, C. R., Engdahl, B. E., Olson, R. H. A., Winskowski, A. M., & McMahill, J. (2011). Religious functioning and trauma outcomes among combat veterans. Counselling and Spirituality, 30(1), 71-90
Abstract : Recent research on primarily civilian trauma survivors has identified patterns of religious functioning that are related to positive and negative outcomes from trauma. Specifically, those who use their faith as a source of comfort, are active in using prayer as a coping resource, and are involved in supportive relationships with their religious peers and leaders, evidence higher levels of posttraumatic growth. In contrast, those who experience high levels of religious fear and guilt, a disrupted relationship with G-d, and conflict in relationships with religious peers and leaders, evidence more symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder. This study is an attempt to replicate these findings among veterans of combat trauma. In a sample of veterans recently returned from combat (N=110) high levels of religious distress were related to more symptoms, and higher levels of religious comfort and useful religious coping strategies were related to posttraumatic growth.
■ Article in English
Estupinian, G. & Waelde, L. C. (2011). The impact of spirituality on posttraumatic stress disorder and depression among military personnel. Counselling and Spirituality, 30(1), 91-106
Abstract : Several studies have shown a direct relationship between trauma and depression however not all people respond the same way to traumatic stress. It is unclear what variables predict positive or negative outcomes of traumatic stress. This study examines the impact of spirituality on reported levels of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among military personnel. Results showed that spirituality did not moderate the relationship between combat exposure and depression or PTSD. However, spirituality and combat exposure were each independently related to PTSD and depression, respectively. These finding suggests that spirituality may be a resource among those coping with traumatic stress.
■ Article in English
Thuné-Boyle, C. V., Stygall, J., Keshtgar, M. R. S., Davidson, T. I., & Newman, S. P. (2011). The influence of religious/spiritual resources on finding positive benefits from a breast cancer diagnosis. Counselling and Spirituality, 30(1), 107-134
Abstract : Very few studies have examined the role of religious/spiritual coping resources in meaning making during the cancer experience. This paper reports prospective findings of a longitudinal study examining the effects of religious/spiritual coping resources on benefit finding in breast cancer. Two-hundred and two patients newly diagnosed with breast cancer were assessed after surgery. Several aspects of religiousness/spirituality (e.g., strength of faith, spiritual support) in relation to benefit finding three months later were explored. Strength of faith at surgery was an independent predictor of benefit finding at three months post-surgery. Religious coping to achieve a life transformation also predicted benefit finding, however this relationship was partially mediated by strength of faith. Seeking emotional support coping at surgery also predicted higher levels of finding benefit three months later. This study highlights the importance of examining religious/spiritual resources in combination with other variables to fully understand their relationship to meaning making in cancer.
■ Article in English
Lyons, G. C. B., Deane, F. P., & Kelly, P. J. (2011). Faith-based substance abuse treatment: Is it just about God? Exploring treatment providers' attitudes toward spirituality, forgiveness and secular components of treatment. Counselling and Spirituality, 30(1), 135-159
Abstract : Although spirituality and forgiveness components of substance abuse treatment programs are viewed as important by faith-based substance abuse treatment providers researchers have not compared their relative importance to other treatment components. This study evaluated the perceived importance of spiritually and forgiveness-based treatment components in comparison to other secular psycho-educational components in faith-based treatment programs. A brief survey was completed by 99 Salvation Army drug and alcohol treatment providers employed within Australian residential rehabilitation programs. The survey examined the relative importance treatment providers’ placed on spiritual and secular components of treatment. Attitudes towards spiritual components of treatment, such as Christian education and spiritual development, were positive; however, treatment providers rated secular interventions such as relapse prevention and anger management as more important than spiritual components. Treatment providers also conceptualized forgiveness to primarily be a spiritual construct that was as important to treatment as other secular based components. Implications for treatment providers are discussed.
Counselling and Spirituality, Volume 30 Number 2 : Fall
THEME : Spirituality and Meaning-making
■ Article in English
Brown, T., Yaxin, L., Marks, L., & Dollahite, D. C. (2011). ). Meaning making across three dimensions of religious experience: A qualitative exploration Counselling and Spirituality, 30(2), 11-36
Abstract : The current study focused on the complex connections between meaning making, spirituality, and religious experiences. In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted in a sample of 184 racially diverse and highly religious families (N=445 individual participants). A three-dimensional, conceptual model of religion by Dollahite and Marks (2009) provided the framework for the findings. The following three themes are presented: (1) Meaning Making and Spiritual Beliefs: “Faith is the only thing that satisfies that hunger”; (2) Meaning Making and Religious Practices: “We fit our life into our religion, not our religion into our life”; and (3) Meaning Making and Faith Community: “Our church family is just like family.” In connection with each theme, several supporting examples from the data are offered to convey the voices and meaning making processes of the participants with authenticity. The data presented and themes identified are used to offer a framework for more culturally competent and, where appropriate or requested, more religious-accommodative therapy designed to aid clients in finding meaning in their daily lives.
■ Article in English
Balthip, Q., Boddy, J., Kong-In, W., & Nilmanat, K. (2011). Supportive Relationships: Creating meaning and purpose in life for persons living with HIV/AIDS Counselling and Spirituality, 30(2), 37-56
Abstract : pivotal role of relationships that enable persons living with HIV/AIDS to overcome distress was explored in a Straussian grounded theory study. Participants were 33 adults in Southern Thailand who had lived with HIV/AIDS for five years or more. HIV/AIDS had “turned their lives upside down”; however relationships, described by participants as a state of connectedness and receiving love and support (kamlangjai) from family members, health professionals, others living with HIV/AIDS, and supernatural beings, resulted in participants finding reasons for living. Relationships enhanced their strength to take control of HIV/AIDS in their lives, thus enabling them to find meaning in life and the will to live.
■ Article in French
Deschênes, G. (2011). L’anthropologie spirituelle du loisir : l’homo faber–religiosus-ludens Counselling and Spirituality, 30(2), 57-86
Abstract : In our civilization, everyday life is largely dedicated to the activities of production. Leisure, when approached from this perspective, may become a type of escape wherein its main purpose, as a healing activity for human existence, is lost. In the present paper, productivity (or homo faber) and leisure (or homo ludens), as typical human activities, will be examined as opposite but necessary conditions of human existence. Explanations about leisure taken from various human sciences (including theology) will be presented as pathways for the integration of these activities. Leisure as a means of meaning-making, can drive the process of personal development and in so doing exist as a freeing source for the experiencing of the infinite dimension. The liberating effects of leisure can engender significant benefits for individuals. Consequently, health professionals are invited to engage more with the healing effects of leisure, especially with those individuals who may be struggling with life’s difficulties and personal limitations.
■ Article in English
Landes, S. D., & Ardelt, M. (2011). The relationship between spirituality and death fear in aging adults Counselling and Spirituality, 30(2), 87-112
Abstract : This study describes the relationship between spirituality and death fear in 54 older adults between the ages of 58 and 98 years (M = 76), residing in a nursing home, hospice, or community setting in North Central Florida. Participants were sorted into four groups based on their scores (high versus low) on spirituality and death fear scales. In-depth analyses of the semi-structured qualitative interviews with the individuals in each group revealed that expressions of death fear were more common in individuals with spiritual discontent as opposed to those with either spiritual contentment or disinterest irrespective of their level of spirituality. The results suggest that spiritual discontent is a greater detriment to dying in peace than spiritual disinterest.
■ Article in English
Lichtenthal, W. G., Burke, L. A., & Neimeyer, R. A. (2011). Religious coping and meaning-making following the loss of a loved one Counselling and Spirituality, 30(2), 113-136
Abstract : This study examined the relation between meaning-making and the use of a variety of religious coping strategies in a sample of Christian adults (N = 60) who lost a loved one in the past five years. Controlling for associated risk factors, challenges with meaning-making were predicted by negative religious coping, but not positive religious coping. Both negative religious coping and challenges with meaning-making predicted prolonged grief disorder symptoms. However a post hoc exploratory mediational analysis suggests that challenges with meaning-making partially explain the association between negative religious coping and prolonged grief. Findings suggest that when individuals’ assumptions were compromised through a crisis of faith, meaning-making appeared to be much more of a struggle. In addition, challenges related to spiritual crises and meaning-making both uniquely contribute to protracted grief reactions. Individuals who have experienced a significant loss and who are disconnected from their religion may benefit from increased religious community support and from meaning-centered interventions that address their spiritual concerns to help facilitate the grief process.
■ Article in English
Boynton, H. M. & Vis, J. (2011). Meaning making, spirituality, and creative expressive therapies: Pathways to processing grief with children Counselling and Spirituality, 30(2), 137-160
Abstract : Children who experience unresolved traumatic grief and loss are susceptible to future challenges related to development, relationships and overall mental health. While the literature discusses the impact of trauma on a child’s overall wellbeing, little has been written about the role and importance of spirituality and its potential to stimulate post-traumatic growth for children. This paper explores the literature regarding the impact of traumatic grief on children, with the purpose of highlighting the significance of spirituality and meaning making as part of a holistic counselling framework. Specifically, creative interventions are presented to elicit spiritual dialogue as pathways to meaning formation that leads to post-trauma healing and growth.
■ Article in French
Fortin, G., Laprée, R. & Malette, J. (2011). An application of the Clarification of Values model in counselling Counselling and Spirituality, 30(2), 161-178
Abstract : Values play a major role in the counselling process. The goal of this paper is to explore how the model of Values Clarification can be applied to the context of counselling in order to highlight the issue of values. Two personality disorders, histrionic and obsessive personality, are analysed using criteria set forth in the model of Values Clarification. Results show that the histrionic personality values the positive image others perceive of him or her, whereas the obsessive personality values his or her own security to the detriment of creativity and spontaneity. Such results suggest that the model of Values Clarification can indeed be used to identify the roles values play in the clients’ presenting problems.
