Amanda L. Giordano

Religious Coping, Spirituality, and Hypersexual Behavior Among College Students

Empirical investigations of hypersexuality among college students are limited, yet, the uniqueness of the college setting warrants further examination of the issue. Two constructs to explore in relation to collegiate hypersexual behavior are religion and spirituality, as researchers have linked both to compulsive sexual behavior. We administered a 1-time, paper survey to undergraduate students at a large, public University in the southwest. Analysis of the 235 completed surveys (58% male, 42% female) indicated that 11.1% of students in the total sample (16.2% males) were hypersexual. Further, a hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed that lower levels of Purpose/Meaning (i.e., spirituality) and higher levels of Negative Religious Coping significantly predicted hypersexual behavior. Specifically, religious coping and spirituality accounted for 11% of the variance in collegiate hypersexuality beyond demographic variables. We provide recommendations for counselors and suggestions for future research.

Overcoming Obstacles to Empathy: The Use of Experiential Learning in Addictions Counseling Courses

Empathy is associated with positive outcomes in addictions counseling. The moral model of addiction and unresolved countertransference issues may hinder counseling students’ development of empathic understanding for clients with substance use disorders. Counselor educators must structure courses in such a way as to help students overcome obstacles to empathy. We provide examples of several experiential activities framed within the context of Kolb’s experiential-learning cycle that are designed to deconstruct obstacles to student empathy development.

Using the PATHOS Questionnaire for Screening Sexual Addiction Among College Students: A Preliminary Exploration

Researchers posit that sexual addiction often develops in young adulthood (Goodman, 2005), the time when many individuals are in college. The PATHOS screening questionnaire (Carnes et al., 2012) may be a helpful resource for counselors working with collegiate populations to identify those in need of further assessment for sexual addiction. We collected data from 379 undergraduate students and found that 21.2% of males and 6.7% of females endorsed 3 or more items on the PATHOS, suggesting a need for additional assessment. We discuss implications and limitations of these findings and highlight the need for additional research on college populations.

Cybersex Addiction Among College Students: A Prevalence Study

ABSTRACT With the ubiquity of Internet access in American society comes increased access to sexually explicit materials. Although online sexual behavior is not problematic in and of itself, for some it can become compulsive and addictive. One population that may be at heightened risk for cybersex addiction is the collegiate population. We surveyed 339 students and found that 10.3% scored in the clinical range for cybersex addiction. Further, we found significant gender differences among the clinical and non-clinical range groups as males were more likely to score in the clinical range for cybersex addiction.

Collegiate Misuse of Prescription Stimulants: Examining Differences in Self-Worth

Background: Prescription stimulant medication is commonly used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, stimulant medication misuse is a prevalent problem among the college population. There is limited research on psychological factors associated with collegiate nonmedical stimulant misuse. Objectives: To examine the association between college students’ self-worth and stimulant medication misuse. Methods: A quantitative study implemented during the 2013–2014 academic year in which we utilized a convenience sample of undergraduate students at a public university. College students (N = 3,038) completed an electronic survey packet including a stimulant use index and the Contingencies of Self-Worth Scale. We conducted descriptive discriminant analysis (DDA) to measure the associations between four groups: Nonusers, Appropriate Users, Nonprescribed Misusuers, and Prescribed Users. Results: Significant differences in contingencies of self-worth existed between the four groups of students. Specifically, external contingencies of self-worth, such as appearance and approval, were associated with stimulant medication misuse, whereas, internal contingencies of self-worth, such as Gods love and virtue, were associated with nonuse and appropriate prescribed use. Conclusions/Importance: The findings of the current study suggested contingencies of self-worth partially explain prescription stimulant misuse among the collegiate population. Addressing self-worth may be helpful in the treatment of stimulant misuse with college students.

Differences in Emotion Dysregulation and Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety among Illicit Substance Users and Nonusers

ABSTRACT Background: Illicit substance users may rely on mind-altering substances to regulate affect, especially when mental health symptoms are present.Objectives: In light of the prevalence of illicit substance use and symptoms of depression and anxiety among college students, as well as the affect regulation properties of illicit substances, we sought to examine whether differences in emotion dysregulation, depression, anxiety, and stress exist between illicit substance users and non-users. Methods: At a large Southwestern U.S. university, we examined differences in emotion dysregulation, depression, anxiety, and stress among college students who used illicit substances in the past 30 days (n = 92, 34.5%) and those who did not (n = 175, 65.5%). Data were collected in 2016 using two measures: the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS; Gratz & Roemer, 2004) and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS21; Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995). Results: Results from the Descriptive Discriminate Analysis (DDA) indicated that significant differences existed between the two groups. Anxiety, difficulty clarifying emotions, difficulty employing goal-directed behaviors, and stress accounted the most for the group differences. Conclusion/Importance: Mental health differences between illicit substance users and nonusers exist. Specifically, illicit substance users reported more anxiety, stress, and difficulties with emotion regulation.

Moments of Relational Depth in Sex Addiction Treatment

Abstract Sex addiction is a prevalent experience affecting up to 6% of the adult population. Although many interventions exist for addressing sex addiction, clinicians may benefit from considering the nature of the therapeutic alliance when working with sexually addicted clients. Specifically, the construct of relational depth may help clinicians more holistically conceptualize sex addiction treatment and address client shame and attachment insecurities. In this article, we provide a thorough examination of relational depth, offer ways in which it may augment sex addiction treatment, and provide a case example to demonstrate its implementation.

Prevalence and Correlates of Stimulant Medication Misuse among the Collegiate Population.

ABSTRACT Misuse of stimulant medication is pervasive among college students. In this study, we surveyed undergraduate college students (N = 3,038) at a large-sized Southwestern university. We examined unique characteristics of students misusing stimulant medication with a prescription (n = 74) and those misusing without a prescription (n = 356). Both groups reported being motivated to use for study enhancement purposes and increased alertness. They identified sleeplessness, racing heart, and racing thoughts as the most common side effects, and often used concurrently with alcohol and marijuana.

Addressing Religion in Counseling With Racially Marginalized Adolescents

Many adolescents adhere to religious traditions. When faced with adversity, religion can be a source of meaning, comfort, and support. Adolescents in racially marginalized groups are at high risk of experiencing discrimination in U.S. society. Researchers have found that religion may serve as a protective factor against the harmful effects of discrimination and oppression. In this article, I describe the prevalence of religion among racially marginalized group members as well as the unique considerations of adolescent religious development. I detail ways in which religion can be an effective coping strategy with regard to discrimination, and conclude by applying the new multicultural and social justice counseling competencies (MSJCC) to clinical work involving religion among racially marginalized youth.

The Motivational Supervisor: Motivational Interviewing as a Clinical Supervision Approach

Motivational interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based clinical intervention used to elicit motivation for client behavior change. MI as a supervision style involves the same spirit, processes, and techniques used to cultivate supervisee development and change. This article describes the application of MI components to clinical supervision, detailing the processes of engaging, focusing, evoking, and planning. A case example depicting MI supervision is provided.