Gerdenio Manuel

Gender differences in reported stress response to the loma prieta earthquake

Previous research has consistently demonstrated that men and women differ in the expression of emotions such as depression, anxiety, and stress. However, little research has investigated the question of whether men and women differ in their stress response to a cataclysmic event. The present study investigated gender differences in stress response to the Loma Prieta earthquake. Two hundred and eleven subjects participated in this study. The sample was composed of 108 men and 103 women; the racial composition of the sample was approximately 73% Caucasian, 15% Asian-American, 9% Hispanic, 2% African-American, and 1% Native American. All subjects completed two standardized stress measures (the Impact of Events scale and the Symptom checklist-90R) and answered open-ended questions regarding their experience of the earthquake. Results showed that women clearly reported experiencing greater amounts of stress in response to the earthquake. Women also estimated that the earthquake lasted significantly longer than did men. These results are explained by the greater acceptance in our society for women to express emotions, particularly stress-related emotions.

Coping with Stress among Salvadoran Immigrants

This study examined the stress response of 56 Salvadoran subjects who migrated to the United States following the recent civil war in El Salvador. The Impact of Events Scale (IES), the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R), the Interpersonal Behavior Scale (IBS-RIED), and a clinical interview were administered to these subjects in order to assess their subjective stress response and symptoms of psychological distress. Subjects also completed a demographic questionnaire that included inquiries about stressors experienced in the United States and coping strategies used. Results indicate measurable levels of war-related stress in this population. English language skills, a positive and hard-working attitude, use of social supports, and their religious faith surfaced as adaptive coping strategies.

Personality characteristics of successful applicants to the priesthood

This study investigated personality characteristics of successful pastoral candidates to a major Catholic religious order. Personality measures (i.e., MMPI-2 and 16PF) were administered to 21 male applicants between 1990 and 1994 who subsequently entered into religious life. Results suggest that these clergy applicants were generally well-adjusted, socially responsible, and interpersonally sensitive. However, results also suggest a tendency for defensiveness. Coping with perceived negative impulses (i.e., anger and hostility) may also be an issue for many. Implications for future research are offered.

Personality and cognitive functioning among hospitalized sexual offending Roman Catholic priests

A tremendous amount of media attention has been directed towards sexual abuse perpetrated by Roman Catholic priests in recent years. While there are countless research studies on both sexual abuse victims and perpetrators in the professional literature, very few have specifically investigated Roman Catholic priests who sexually abuse minors. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of personality and cognitive variables among hospitalized sex offending Roman Catholic priests using specific MMPI-2, WAIS-R, and Halstead-Reitan measurements. Specifically, the role of defensive coping styles as measured by the L, K, O-H, and R scales of the MMPI-2 along with IQ scores from the WAIS-R and the Halstead impairment index were investigated. A total of 160 Roman Catholic priests (80 who sexually abused minors and 80 nonabusing control patients) hospitalized in a private psychiatric facility specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of clergy were evaluated. Results suggest that overcontrolled-hostility (O-H) was the most reliable predictor of group membership while Verbal IQ approached statistical significance. Implications for further research are offered.

Stress and coping among displaced Bosnian refugees: An exploratory study

Traumatic experiences associated with the recent war in Bosnia (1992–1995) have impacted the lives of many Bosnian refugees and displaced people. Approximately 25% of Bosnians were forced to leave their homes and resettle in other areas of Bosnia or abroad. In this study, 82 displaced Bosnians living in the area of Tuzla, Bosnia, and 53 refugees living in the San Francisco Bay area completed the same questionnaire in the Bosnian language. The study describes war-related stress and the association of marital status, anxiety, depression, and sensitivity levels. Furthermore, being single, having lower anxiety ratings, finding and adapting to a new environment easily, and moving on with their lives indicated better self-reported health. Findings also revealed that being divorced or separated, better self-reported health, and lower anxiety, depression, and sensitivity ratings were predictors of more effective coping.

Influence of aerobic exercise activity and relaxation training on coping with test taking anxiety

Abstract This study compared the effects of three types of activity on coping with test-taking anxiety. A total of 52 undergraduate students were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: aerobic exercise, relaxation training, or control (i.e., magazine reading). State anxiety was measured three times during the experiment using an abbreviated version of the Multiple Affect Adjective Checklist. Analysis using a 2x3 (sex by group) analysis of variance found that aerobic exercise and relaxation training were associated with reduction of general and test-taking anxiety. Men reported lower test-taking anxiety and responded better to aerobic exercise, whereas women responded better to magazine reading. Implications and suggestions for research were discussed.

The influence of brief episodes of aerobic exercise activity, soothing music-nature scenes condition, and suggestion on coping with test-taking anxiety

This study examines the influence of aerobic exercise activity, soothing musicnature scenes condition, and suggestion on coping with test-taking anxiety. Sixty test anxious subjects were randomly assigned to four treatment groups consisting of 15-min episodes of exercise or soothing music-nature scenes condition with or without verbal suggestion that the treatment task in which they were engaged would be helpful to them. A videotaped “intelligence test” used to stimulate test-taking anxiety was given to the subjects after the soothing music-nature scenes condition or exercise tasks. The Multiple Affect Adjective Checklist (MAACL) was used to appraise anxiety during the laboratory procedures. Results indicate that exercise, soothing music-nature scenes condition, and suggestion play a role in reducing anxiety. While relaxation activity proved to be superior to exercise in reducing anxiety immediately following the “treatment” episode, these differences disappear following exposure to a stressful “IQ test” and exercise (as well as suggestion) had a better stress inoculation effect than soothing music-nature scenes condition or no suggestion.

Group Process and the Catholic Rites of Reconciliation

While individual and group psychotherapy are often referred to as forms of secular confession, the relationship of early religious confessional practices to the psychology of contemporary helping group processes needs further exploration. An examination of the theology and form of the Catholic rites of reconciliation indicates that their psychology and structure clearly parallel many of the healing processes at work in group psychotherapy.While individual and group psychotherapy are often referred to as forms of secular confession, the relationship of early religious confessional practices to the psychology of contemporary helping group processes needs further exploration. An examination of the theology and form of the Catholic rites of reconciliation indicates that their psychology and structure clearly parallel many of the healing processes at work in group psychotherapy.

Religious celibacy from the celibate's point of view

What do celibates consider the adaptive and maladaptive aspects of their celibate religious lifestyle? What role has celibacy played in understanding the differences between those who persevere and those who choose to resign from celibate religious life and/or ordained ministry? Using data from extensive interviews, this exploratory study begins to focus some of the perceived effects of celibacy upon personal development for both those who persevere in celibate religious life and those who resign.What do celibates consider the adaptive and maladaptive aspects of their celibate religious lifestyle? What role has celibacy played in understanding the differences between those who persevere and those who choose to resign from celibate religious life and/or ordained ministry? Using data from extensive interviews, this exploratory study begins to focus some of the perceived effects of celibacy upon personal development for both those who persevere in celibate religious life and those who resign.