Carol Preston

Mourning and Reminiscence: Parallel Psychotherapeutic Processes for Elderly People

Mourning and reminiscence are therapeutic processes common in therapeutic work with the elderly. However, a theoretical explanation of why they are effective has been lacking. Personal construct theory accounts for both in terms of the search of elderly persons for validation of their construct systems. In this article, this explanation of the parallel psychotherapeutic processes is explored, together with relevant information from the literature on mourning and reminiscence. Therapeutic case studies illustrate the characteristics of the two processes and the relationship between them.

Construing God: An Exploration of the Relationships between Reported Interaction with God and Concurrent Emotional Experience

This study explores the subjective experience of individuals as they intract with God It is proposed that through the model of personal construct psychology insights can be gained into peoples perceptions of God, the roles God plays in their lives, and the affective implications of such interactions. Subjective experience was assessed using content analysis of verbalizations from 150 people identifying themselves as Christians. Four kinds of interactions with God were considered, involving different constructions of God. Different affective experience was found to be related to the interactions. The implications of these relationships are discussed The data provide insights into the meaning of relating to God as part of human experience.

Personal Construct Therapy for the Elderly

Personal construct theory has provided a model of psychosocial functioning in the elderly. This model analyzes the changing events construed by the elderly, the content of their constructs, the forms of their construing, and the outcomes of these changes for them. Personal construct theory has also provided a model of psychotherapy, describing the roles of the client and therapist, as well as the therapeutic relationship between them. This model has identified the major therapeutic movements that can occur for elderly clients. The two models and the therapeutic movements are illustrated here in a case study.

Some Sources of Alienation for Drug Addicts

One major focus in research concerned with drug addiction has been the interpersonal relationships of the addicts, particularly within their family. Families of addicts have been variously depicted as showing extreme marital tension, family breakdown, ineffectuality of fathers, pathology of mothers, alcoholism, cruelty, and overdependent, overprotective relationships [1–5]. Some of these factors have been seen as causes of addiction, others as factors contributing to addiction. Some researchers emphasize the need for family reconciliation and family therapy, while others see separation and independence from families as necessary for the successful treatment of the addiction.