Patricia L. Pike

An empirical exploration of psychoanalysis and religion : Spiritual maturity and Object Relations Development

The present study builds on the emerging body of empirical literature examining religion from a contemporary psychoanalytic perspective that is particularly informed by object relations theory. Such a perspective leads to the hypothesis of a positive relationship between spiritual maturity defined relationally, and level of object relations development. In other words, it is proposed that the developmental maturity of ones faith and relationship with God is associated with the developmental maturity of ones relationships with others. Spiritual maturity was measured by the Spiritual Assessment Inventory and the Religious Status Inventory. Level of object relations development was measured by the Bell Object Relations Inventory. Results revealed 19 out of 20 significant correlations in the predicted direction between both measures of spiritual maturity and the measure of level of object relations development. Research and clinical implications are discussed.

Effects of acculturation on the MMPI-2 scores of Asian American students.

The use of the MMPI-2 (Butcher, Dahlstron, Graham, Tellegen, & Kaemmer, 1989) with minorities has been questioned due to potential misinterpretations related to cultural differences. This study examined acculturative differences among Asian American college students and their scores on the validity and clinical scales. A sample of Asian American students (n = 90) was assigned to groups based on acculturation level. Analysis of variance tests indicated that low-acculturated, bicultural, and high-acculturated Asian Americans yielded different profiles. Compared to a matched White student sample, low-acculturated Asian Americans scored significantly higher on 9 scales, and bicultural Asian Americans had 6 significantly different scores. These differences were clinically interpretable with a range from 6.46 to 21.65 T-score points. High-acculturated Asian Americans did not differ from Whites. Cultural variables to be considered when interpreting Asian American profiles are discussed.

The importance and the Difficulty of Doing Research with a Missionary Population

In a recent study, 50 mission boards were contacted and over 300 first-term missionary appointees were asked to participate in research on the predictive validity of the Cross-Cultural Adaptability Inventory. The research took place in two phases: one before the missionaries left for their respective fields and the second after approximately six months on the field. Fifty missionaries agreed to participate in the study and met the qualifications for doing so. By the end of the second phase of the research, however, only 14 missionaries had completed the study with no missing inventories. This research note highlights both the importance of doing research among missionaries and the difficulties encountered in the process.

Thirty Years of Explicitly Integrative Scholarship: Comparing Phd and Psyd Contributions

Johnson and McMinn (2003; see also McMinn, Johnson & Haskell, 2003) challenged integrative clinical psychology doctoral programs to show that PhDs produce scholarship and teach in the academy at rates that are demonstrably different from PsyDs. The entire publication history through 2002 of the two most influential integrative journals–-the Journal of Psychology and Theology (JPT) and the Journal of Psychology and Christianity (JPC)–-was analyzed to determine scholarship according to the authors degree. Across the past 30 years, integrative PhDs produced four times as much scholarship as PsyDs. By 2002, PhDs held 85% of the faculty positions in integrative programs, and faculty at these programs who graduated from integrative programs themselves were three times more likely to have a PhD than a PsyD. Implications of these results are offered in conclusion, along with a possible explanation for why integrative clinical psychology doctoral programs tend to receive low subjective ratings of quality from secular peers.

The Relationship of Object Relations Development to Cultural Adjustment in a Missionary Sample

The present study investigated the relationship between level of object relations and cross-cultural adjustment in a missionary sample. It was hypothesized that the ego functions of current object relations, thought processes, reality testing, defensive functioning, and regulation of drives would be related to psychological and sociocultural adjustment. One hundred and sixty missionaries living in 46 countries completed a questionnaire assessing these variables. Canonical correlations confirmed the hypothesized relationships. It was concluded that object relations theory provides a useful framework for understanding an individuals capacity to adjust cross-culturally.

Market and Mission

The focus of this article is how the market forces in the field of professional psychology affect the Christian training programs. After a brief review of some of the changes in the field over the past three decades, current national and Christian community trends are presented. Although market forces affect the manner in which the Christian training programs move forward, they do not change the mission of these programs. The mission has not been accomplished. Therefore, the task of training Christian professional psychologists continues.

Assimilation and Accommodation Applied to Vernacular Scriptures-in-Use

The principles of assimilation and accommodation are applicable to missions in that the aim of missionary effort involves presenting new concepts to change ideas and behavior. Development of appropriate personal use of vernacular Scriptures is a goal of much mission strategy. Literacy activities play a major role in attainment of that goal. Research literature on cognition and literacy is thus presented to demonstrate that assimilation and accommodation are applicable on three significant levels of literacy activity: (a) A broad culture-wide level, (b) a narrow materials-preparation level, and (c) a midrange program-planning level.

Response to Oosterhuis: To Abolish or Fulfill?

Discussion of Oosterhuiss article acknowledges several beneficial points. The historical framework demonstrates the connection between the childs role in society and disciplinary practices. The distinction between paidion and pais is touched upon as an important developmental delineation. Christs perception of the personhood of children is elaborated. Critique emphasizes the New Testament elaboration of Old Testament themes rather than the radical change, the incomplete interpretation of research on childrearing, and the need to replace rather than abolish the rod.