Christian R. Bellehumeur

God Images and Resilience: A Study of Vietnamese Immigrants

This article examines the relationship between resilience and the God images of Vietnamese immigrants living in Canada. In earlier literature, little attention was paid to the way that these immigrants may have used spiritual components as resources in helping them endure struggle and become resilient (i.e., well-adapted, resourceful, and filled with a sense of purpose). In the current study, we examined the above link using an object relations’ perspective on God images and hypothesized that a more positive God image would be related to greater resilience. One hundred twenty-nine participants completed a demographic questionnaire, the Questionnaire on God Image (QGI), and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Correlation and regression analyses showed that positive God images (e.g., those characterized by love, comfort, protection, and trust) were not only positively associated with a higher degree of resilience but also helped predict resilience among the Vietnamese immigrants we surveyed. We discuss various cultural implications of these findings for theory, research, and practice and make recommendations for future research.

Is It Advisable to Use the Quantitative Version of At.9 to Evaluate Alexithymia When Opting for a Multi-method Evaluative Approach?

Introduction A multi-method approach is recommended for evaluatingalexithymia. Apart from the directmethods such as self-reported questionnaires, there are indirect approachesthat make use of projective tests. Of these tests, the quantitative version ofthe Objectively Scoring Archetypal Test 9 (SAT.9) of the 9 Element Anthropological Test(AT.9) has demonstrated an adequatelevel of reliability in the evaluation of alexithymia, notably symbolizationability deficiency (SAD). However, there has to our knowledge been no recent researchdone on the appropriateness of the SAT.9 for evaluating alexithymia. Objective The aim of the study undertakenwas to determine to what extent the Bermond-VorstAlexithymia Questionnaire (BVAQ) is correlated with the SAT.9, andparticularly the SAD. Method The study was conducted withan experimental group composed of substance polyconsumers (N=25) and a controlgroup (N=25) of university-level students. All participants tookthe BVAQ and the SAT.9. Results The results indicate thatthe experimental group participants’ scores were significantly superior to thecontrol groups scores on each of the sub-scales of the BVAQ as well as ontheir total score. The results also show that the experimental groupparticipants had a larger SAD than the control group members. Lastly, the results highlight significantcorrelations between the two groups’ BVAQ global scores and the SAD on the SAT.9. Conclusion This studyunderscores the appropriateness of using the SAT.9 for evaluating alexithymia aspart of a multi-method approach.

L’imaginaire au cœur du développement psycho-spirituel des jeunes: une réflexion interdisciplinaire sur la spiritualité de l’enfance et de la pré-adolescence

Le présent article1 porte sur l’apport de l’imaginaire dans le développement psycho-spirituel des jeunes, enfants et pré-adolescents. Cette problématique s’insère dans le contexte de la société québécoise contemporaine ; deux changements sociaux récents en ce qui a trait à l’éducation des jeunes y sont présentés. Pour traiter de cette question, nous faisons appel aux principales théories du développement de l’enfant qui ont largement décrit les différents stades développementaux. Il sera question de leurs limites, et surtout de leurs forces, dont certaines ont proposé des éléments, comme l’imagination – qui se rapproche et se distingue de l’imaginaire – qui font écho à l’élan naturel des enfants d’être tournés dès leur naissance vers le spirituel. Nous présentons également la théorie de Gilbert Durand (1992 [1960]) de l’imaginaire. Enfin, nous terminerons avec une brève réflexion théologique de l’importance de considérer l’imaginaire dans le développement de la foi. In this article, we look at the contribution of the “imaginary” to the psycho-spiritual development of children and pre-adolescents. We also look at two recent social changes in education, in the province of Quebec, which could possibly have an impact on this very development. Main theories of child development are also used to better understand children’s propensity towards spirituality, as well as Gilbert Durand’s theory (1992 [1960]) on anthropological structures of the “imaginary.” We conclude with a theological reflection on the importance of the “imaginary” for faith development.