Marsha J. Harman

Differentiated Styles of Attachment to God and Varying Religious Coping Efforts

The Attachment to God Inventory (AGI) and Religious Coping Activities Scale (RCAS) were given to 159 church-going adults. A median split using AGI Avoidance and Anxiety scales divided participants into Secure (24.46%), Dismissing (20.14%), Preoccupied (25.18%), and Fearful (30.22%) styles. These four groups were analyzed in relation to the six scales of the RCAS. Results indicated that Secure and Preoccupied used more Christian activities and ideas in coping. Secure also scored higher on religious avoidance, turning to religion to avoid problems. Dismissing focused more on good works and also avoided any sense of pleading. Fearful showed greater anger and doubt toward God. The only scale that failed to show a difference was the scale which represents the notion of using the church and pastor as a means of support. One can see that religious adults have differing attachment styles and vary in their use of religion to cope with life experiences.

Relationship Enhancement Therapy with Borderline Personality.

Relationship enhancement (RE) therapy with couples in which one spouse has been identified as having borderline personality disorder is hypothesized to increase communication skills and individual differentiation. A case study is provided in which RE skills are used along with a transcript that illustrates REs effectiveness in initiating differentiation and changing interpersonal patterns within a relationship.

African Americans' and Caucasian Americans' Recognition and Likability Responses to African American and Caucasian American Faces

Abstract Female African American and Caucasian American participants were shown female faces of their own racial group and/or another racial group. In Experiment 1, participants saw either African American or Caucasian American faces; in Experiment 2, all participants saw faces of both races. Approximately half of the participants received instructions and forms for recognition responses, whereas the other half received instructions and forms for attraction responses. The attraction scores in Experiments 1 and 2 revealed an exposure effect when participants viewed Caucasian American faces but not when they viewed African American faces. There was no evidence of cross-racial bias in Experiment 1. Experiment 2 revealed some evidence of cross-racial bias, in the finding that Caucasian Americans performed more poorly and made more errors in recognition of African American faces than of Caucasian American faces.

Reactions to Heard Words: Varying Emotional Content and Frequency of Exposure

The authors aurally presented words varying in emotional content and frequency of exposure to 56 participants during (a) a study phase in which 288 words (72 separate words with repetitions) were presented and (b) a test phase in which participants were presented with the 72 words from the study phase along with 24 new words. In the test phase, participants responded to these 96 words with either a recognition response or a likability response. The recognition results indicated that increased exposure produced increased recognition; however, high arousal and negative valence words produced higher false positive scores. The likability scores revealed an overall mere exposure effect (MEE). However, words of low arousal and of positive valence did not show the MEE.

Relationship Enhancement Groups with State Hospital Patients and Staff.

Abstract The intense environment of inpatient psychiatric treatment offers unique opportunities for development of interpersonal skills. Both patients and staff are likely to benefit from use of high-level interpersonal skills to reduce stress and develop supportive relationships within the hospital. Patients who continue to use improved interpersonal skills after discharge may reduce the likelihood they will need to be re hospitalized. One form of group interpersonal skill training, relationship enhancement (RE) therapy, was offered to patients and staff as a pilot program in a rural state hospital. Patients and staff found learning RE behaviors and skills to be enjoyable, beneficial to their communication, and helpful in improving their relationships.

Relationship Enhancement Therapy: A Case Study for Treatment of Vaginismus

A case study of Relationship Enhancement (RE) therapy with a couple, in which the woman was identified as having vaginismus, is presented including excerpts of transcripts from the therapy sessions. REs effectiveness at improving communication skills and providing structure in which the couple could discuss the intimate issues affecting the sexual relationship is illustrated.

God and Sin After 50: Gender and Religious Affiliation

Eighty-six participants, 50 years and older, were given the Penn Inventory of Scrupulosity (PIOS) and the Attachment to God Inventory (AGI). Highly religious participants (Methodist or Baptist) responded to the instruments. Baptists appeared to fear sin and God to a greater degree than did Methodists. However, on the AGI, Methodists were lower on anxiety and higher on avoidance as compared to Baptists. Gender differences only appeared for fear of sin (PIOS) and avoidance (AGI). Males showed greater fear of sin and higher levels of avoidance than did females. None of the interactions reached statistically significant levels.