Psychology Commons^™

Measuring Grace, Rodger K. Bufford

Faculty Publications - Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Program

No abstract provided.

Notes From The Field: Delivering Trauma And Disaster Mental Health Services In Dangerous Places, Rodger K. Bufford, George F. Rhoades

Faculty Publications - Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Program

The second presentation will describe findings from a series of empirical studies conducted in zones of persistent and cumulative exposure to traumatic stress. The zones under examination include Sri Lanka, India, Sudan, Haiti, Japan, and the West Bank of the Jordan River. The findings are discussed in terms their implications for public health (both “physical” and “mental”), spiritual and emotional wellbeing, and the reciprocal influences of culture and traumatic experiences.

Religiosity, Marital Adjustment, And Intimacy, Bryan L. Presler

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

The purpose of this study was to examine the complexities of how religious attendance, personal religious activity, and importance of religion are related to marital adjustment and emotional, sexual, and spiritual intimacy. Previous research suggests that church attendance is related to higher marital adjustment; however, the relationship between sexual satisfaction and religiosity appears to be minimal, although Christian authors often suggest a link. The Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale (RDAS), and the Emotional, Sexual, and Spiritual Intimacy Scale (ESSI) were administered to a sample of 88 married individuals. One-way ANOVAs found that religious attendance was not related to marital adjustment, or …

Femininity, Masculinity, Gender, And The Role Of Shame On Christian Men And Women In The Evangelical Church Culture, Joy L. Hottenstein

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Previous research has suggested that individuals (men and women) who endorse more feminine characteristics according to Bem’s Sex Role Inventory (BSRI) are more prone to shame. There have been no known studies conducted to determine if this link also exists within the Evangelical Christian church. Shame, across the research literature, is linked to psychological maladjustment and is defined as a sense that one’s core self is defective and comes up short on expectations. The purpose of this study is to test the relationship between gender, gender role, and shame for men and women who are active in the Evangelical church …

Cultural Competence And Trauma: Applying Ethical Codes In Culturally Sensitive Ways, Rodger K. Bufford, Winston Seegobin

Faculty Publications - Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Program

No abstract provided.

Worldview Foundations For A Christian Psychology, Rodger K. Bufford, Timothy A. Sisemore

Faculty Publications - Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Program

No abstract provided.

Sustainable Faith: How The Neuroscience Of Emotion Promotes Spiritual Transformation, Christine M. Mutch

Doctor of Ministry

Current research indicates that well-intentioned practices and programs aimed at forming people into the image of Christ are not producing the intended results. One roadblock is the misunderstanding and lack of value placed on the role of emotion in the transformation process. The purpose of this dissertation is to present neuroscience research about the integral role of emotion in one's life, and suggest practical ways to capitalize on emotion to effect transformation.

Chapter one describes the goals of spiritual formation, in contrast to current attitudes and practices of those inside and outside the church. It provides a basic introduction to …

Spiritual/Religious Issues In Therapy At A Community Mental Health Clinic, Courtney Elizabeth Mcconnell

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Abstract The purpose of this dissertation is to explore the growing area of spirituality and religion in counseling. The American public values religion; and the American Psychological Association (APA) acknowledges religion/spirituality as a vital area of diversity. With APA calling for specialized training in religious diversity, it is important to consider what religious/spiritual issues arise in a community counseling setting. This study was designed to determine whether clients or therapists raise religious issues, and whether clients who self-identify as religiously affiliated spend more time discussing religious/spiritual topics in session. In addition, researchers hoped to learn about what religious content was …

Dimensions Of Grace, Rodger K. Bufford, Timoth Sisemore, Amanda Blackburn

Faculty Publications - Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Program

No abstract provided.

Dimensions Of Grace: Factor Analysis Of Three Grace Scales, Rodger K. Bufford, Timothy A. Sisemore, Amanda M. Blackburn

Faculty Publications - Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Program

Measuring grace is challenging. Prior research found the Grace Scale (GS), Richmont Grace Scale (RGS), and The Amazing Grace Scale (TAGS) to be reliable, have promising convergent and divergent validity, and to inter-correlate strongly. However, they may tap different constructs, or grace may be multidimensional (Bufford, Blackburn, Sisemore, & Bassett, 2015). Here two exploratory factor analyses of the combined items showed five factors: experiencing God’s grace, costly grace, grace to self, grace from others, and grace to others, partially paralleling Watson, Chen and Sisemore (2011). Items from all three scales loaded on Factor 1, only items from the RGS loaded …

Act, Values, And Christian Psychology: A Response To Sisemore, Mark R. Mcminn

Faculty Publications - Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Program

“Amen, brother” is probably too brief a response for an academic journal, but it would be a fitting summary for my observations of Sisemore’s (2015) article, “Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: A Christian Translation.” Sisemore demonstrates both a good understanding of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Christian wisdom. Rather than repeating all our points of agreement, I limit my observations to two anecdotes about ACT and Christianity, a few positive reflections regarding Sisemore’s article, and two suggestions for further translation work.

Chapter Four Of Overcoming Adversities: Resilience In Rural Southeastern Montana, Kristie Knows-His-Gun, Rodger K. Bufford, Winston Seegobin

Faculty Publications - Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Program

The current study evaluated the amount of adverse childhood experiences the employees of St. Labre Indian School, St. Charles Mission School, and · Pretty Eagle Catholic School (collectively called St. Labre) experienced, along with their religious functioning, and current levels of resilience. We will examine childhood adversity, spiritual wellbeing, and resilience, in turn, and then will address overall conclusions.