David R. Paine

Humility as a Predictor of Intercultural Competence Mediator Effects for Differentiation-of-Self

The present study tested two models of the association between humility, differentiation-of-self (DoS), and intercultural competence among graduate trainees in the helping professions. The sample consisted of 75 graduate students from a Protestant-affiliated university in the United States. Results indicated that DoS mediated the positive association between humility and intercultural competence. Results therefore supported a definition of intercultural competence as the ability to effectively navigate interpersonal difference. Implications are considered for training in intercultural competence within couple and family therapy.

Humility as a Psychotherapeutic Virtue: Spiritual, Philosophical, and Psychological Foundations

This article explores the virtue of humility and its applications to the practice of psychotherapy. Humility is distinguished from a clinical competency and defined as a disposition toward accurate self-assessment, other-orientedness, and the regulation of self-centered emotions. We explore the spiritual and philosophical foundations of humility and highlight the ways in which these perspectives are consistent and distinct from contemporary perspectives in psychology. Then we review the empirical literature on humility as a relational virtue. Finally, we make a case for clinician humility as a virtue supportive of best practice.

Spiritual barriers to humility: a multidimensional study

Many spiritual and religious traditions view spiritual pride as contrary to humility; however, the rising empirical research on spirituality and humility has involved limited investigation of the variety of spiritual barriers that inhibit a humble disposition. The present study investigated three distinct spiritual barriers (spiritual grandiosity, insecure attachment to God, and hunger for idealisation) as independent predictors of dispositional humility among graduate trainees in the helping professions (N = 162) from a Protestant-affiliated university in the USA. Results indicated that each construct of interest predicted lower levels of humility when controlling for both spiritual impression management and the other spiritual barriers. These findings supported theoretical assertions of the discriminant validity of each independent variable in predicting lower levels of humility and supported construct validity of the humility measure. Conceptual considerations and suggestions for future research and graduate training are discussed.

Vulnerable narcissism, forgiveness, humility, and depression: Mediator effects for differentiation of self.

Vulnerable narcissism (VN), a central construct in Kohutian self-psychology, lags behind grandiose narcissism in the empirical research literature, yet a growing body of evidence suggests important implications for VN in relation to mental health and psychosocial functioning. Recent empirical research in the field of positive psychology has found negative associations between VN and the relational virtues of forgiveness and humility, while other studies have supported Kohut’s theorized connection between VN and depression. The current study tested a proposed theoretical model of the relations between VN and (a) interpersonal forgiveness, (b) humility, and (c) depression with differentiation of self (DoS) as a mediator of the effects in a sample of graduate students in the helping professions (N = 162) at a Protestant-affiliated university in the United States. VN was operationalized based on Self Psychology and utilizing measures of (a) idealization needs, (b) goal instability, and (c) hiding the self. The model in this study also draws on Kohutian and Bowenian understandings of DoS as an indicator of self-cohesion and capacities for self-regulation of emotions and interpersonal stress. Results based on Structural Equations Modeling supported the proposed theoretical model for 3 of the 4 measures of VN with DoS mediating the relationships between the predictor variables of approach idealization, goal instability, and hiding the self and the dependent variables of depression, forgiveness, and humility. The findings suggest the potential benefits of integrating research in psychoanalysis, family systems, and positive psychology. Implications are considered for future research, training of helping professionals, and clinical practice.

Religious Involvement and Depression: The Mediating Effect of Relational Spirituality

Multiple studies have examined the relationship between religious involvement and depression. Many of these investigations reveal a negative correlation between these constructs. Several others yield either no association or a positive correlation. In this article, we discuss possible explanations for these discrepant findings. We investigate the degree to which relational spirituality factors mediate the relationship between religious involvement and depression in a sample of graduate students. Results indicated that spiritual instability and disappointment in God were distinct predictors of depression over and above the predictive strength of religious involvement. Implications for training and conceptualization are discussed.

What is the “Relational” in Relational Spirituality? A Review of Definitions and Research Directions

ABSTRACT “Relational spirituality” is a term that has been increasingly employed in psychological literature in recent years with a variety of definitions and within different theoretical orientations. In this article, we identify and review five ways relational spirituality is understood in terms of (a) cognitive appraisals of stress and coping; (b) implicit relational development; (c) couples, family, and community contexts; (d) social interconnection; and (e) a differentiation-based model of spiritual development. We conclude with a discussion of conceptual, psychometric, and applied issues related to this topic, and offer suggestions for future research.

Humility: Empirical Psychological Research in Dialogue with Practical Theology – Part I

This article reports on the current status and key findings of a growing body of empirical research on humility; argues for further interdisciplinary, collaborative research between empirical psychology and practical theology; and outlines several generative future research trajectories. Scientific studies of humility could be quite relevant to practical theology, particularly informing research on spiritual formation, intercultural competence, theological education, leadership development, and clinical care. At the same time, we argue for increased attention to theology and spirituality in psychological research on humility, particularly given the strong role of religious and spiritual traditions/communities in promoting humility as a virtue and recent feminist practical theological critiques of humility constructions. Engagement between social scientists and theologians enables sharper reflection upon the moral values implicit in the expanding body of empirical research on humility. Such collaborative, interdisciplinary work is essential in shaping research-based interventions in clinical and religious practice.

Self-Forgiveness in Couple and Family Therapy

Self-forgiveness has significant implications for relationships and couple and family therapy. In this chapter, we provide a framework for therapists working with couples and families that are going through the challenges of a rupture due to an offense. We propose that genuine self-forgiveness is an integrative process within a person in which the self that committed the wrongdoing is acknowledged, accepted, and provided the opportunity to move forward. The theoretical concepts of attachment, differentiation of self (DoS), and intersubjectivity are outlined to address the integrative relational process of self-forgiveness and the common barriers to the process. We explore how therapists can identify these barriers and foster these capacities within their clients. Three brief cases demonstrate how the issues of self-forgiveness may present in couple and family therapy cases, and cultural and religious considerations are discussed.

Religious and Spiritual Salience, Well-Being, and Psychosocial Functioning Among Psychotherapy Clients: Moderator Effects for Humility

AbstractA number of studies have examined the mediating factors in the relationship between religion and spirituality (R/S) and psychological health. Humility is a virtue that has been positively correlated with R/S variables, measures of well-being, and indicators of psychosocial functioning. In this study, we investigate dispositional humility as a potential moderator in the relationship between religious and spiritual salience and (1) well-being and (2) psychosocial functioning outcomes in a clinical sample. Results indicated that dispositional humility significantly moderated the relationships tested. Implications for future research and clinical practice are discussed.

More Prayer, Less Hope: Empirical Findings on Spiritual Instability

Spiritual instability is a spiritual struggle characterized by emotional dysregulation, fear of abandonment, and fear of punishment in relation to the sacred. The present study tested the relationships between spiritual instability, petitionary prayer, and hope among graduate trainees in the helping professions. The sample consisted of 206 graduate students from a Protestant-affiliated university in the United States. Results revealed moderator effect for petitionary prayer in the negative association between spiritual instability and hope. As frequency of petitionary prayer increased the correlation between spiritual instability and hope became increasingly negative. Future directions for research and implications for clinical practice are considered.