Stephen W. Cook

Progress in Resolving Problems: A Problem-Focused Style of Coping.

This investigation reports the development of a multidimensional instrument of stable coping styles that focused on whether ones problem-focused coping efforts were facilitating or inhibiting progress toward resolution of a problem. Study 1 describes the steps in scale construction, including the factor analyses, normative information, and reliability estimates. Study 2 provides initial estimates of the stability of the factor structure and construct, concurrent, and discriminant validity. Study 3 provides evidence for the test-retest stability of the Problem-Focused Style of Coping (PF-SOC) factors, an examination of the relations between the PF-SOC factors and neuroticism as another estimate of discriminant validity, and additional concurrent validity by comparisons with a well-developed coping styles inventory.

A Psychometric Study of Three Coping Measures

This article examines the psychometric properties of three coping inventories: the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations, the COPE, and the Coping Strategies Inventory. First, the stability of the factor structure for each inventory was examined using confirmatory factor analysis. Second, confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses were used to ascertain the common constructs underlying these coping scales. The results indicate preference for particular factor structures for each coping measure, although none of the factor structures examined provided a strong fit with data in this study. Three general factors were found across the three instruments: Problem Engagement, Avoidance, and Social/Emotional. These results suggest more complex conceptualizations of coping.

The normative Male Alexithymia Scale: Measurement of a gender-linked syndrome.

This series of studies assessed the psychometric properties of the Normative Male Alexithymia Scale (NMAS), a brief scale designed to assess normative male alexithymia. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses using separate samples (n = 248 and 467, respectively) indicated that the NMAS consist

Religious Attitudes, Internalized Homophobia, and Identity in Gay and Lesbian Adults

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to develop an empirical base for interventions and further research for lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults experiencing conflict between their religious beliefs and sexual orientation by identifying relations between religious beliefs, commitments, and attitudes to indicators of positive adjustment. Ninety-nine lesbian, gay, or bisexual participants responded to measures of internalized homophobia, gay identity development, religious commitment, scriptural literalism, and postconventional religious reasoning. Results indicated that among gay and lesbian adults: (1) levels of religious commitment did not predict positive adjustment and did not appear to interact with the other religious variables assessed; (2) scriptural literalism (i.e., interpreting Biblical scripture with comparatively little attention to historical context) was not related to internalized homophobia or sexual identity development; and (3) higher levels of postconventional religious reasoning (i.e., making religious decisions independently rather than in deference to other authorities) predicted lower levels of internalized homophobia and higher levels of sexual identity development. These findings provide a basis for future research that may lead to the development of counseling interventions for lesbian and gay clientele experiencing religious conflict.

Resource loss, religiousness, health, and posttraumatic growth following Hurricane Katrina

This study examined associations among resource loss, religiousness (including general religiousness, religious comfort, and religious strain), posttraumatic growth (PTG), and physical and mental health among a sample of Mississippi university students soon after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf coast in 2005. Resource loss was negatively associated with health, but positively associated with PTG. Religious comfort was associated with positive outcomes, and religious strain was associated with negative outcomes. Religious comfort buffered the negative effects of resource loss on emotional health. Ancillary analyses indicated that associations between resource loss and health were mediated by religious strain. Implications of this research are described for mental health practitioners engaged in disaster recovery work.

The Femininity Ideology Scale (FIS): Dimensions and Its Relationship to Anxiety and Feminine Gender Role Stress

The purpose of this study was to conduct a confirmatory factor analytic investigation of the Femininity Ideology Scale (FIS) and to assess whether feminine gender role stress mediated the relationship between femininity ideology and anxiety. During the 2010–2011 academic year, a convenience sample of 606 college women were recruited from three universities and one college. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a four- versus the hypothesized five-factor model, resulting in the elimination of the Dependency/Deference factor. Mediation analysis using structural equation modeling indicated no direct relationship between Femininity Ideology and Anxiety, although an indirect one was observed, mediated through Feminine Gender Role Stress. The results are discussed in terms of possible changes in contemporary notions of femininity, and the utility of using the FIS in applied therapeutic settings.

Definitions, Obstacles, and Standards of Care for the Integration of Spiritual and Cultural Competency Within Health Care Chaplaincy

[Haworth co-indexing entry note]: “Definitions, Obstacles, and Standards of Care for the Intergration of Spiritual and Cultural Competency Within Health Care Chaplaincy.” Cook, Stephen W. Co-published simultaneously in Journal of Health Care Chaplaincy (The Haworth Pastoral Press, an imprint of The Haworth Press, Inc.) Vol. 13, No. 2, 2004, pp. 59-69; and: Ministry in the Spiritual and Cultural Diversity of Health Care: Increasing the Competency of Chaplains (ed: Robert G. Anderson, and Mary A. Fukuyama) The Haworth Pastoral Press, an imprint of The Haworth Press, Inc., 2004, pp. 59-69. Single or multiple copies of this article are available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service [1-800-HAWORTH, 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. (EST). E-mail address: docdelivery@haworthpress.com].

An examination of the complex associations between religiousness and femininity among US Christian women

ABSTRACT Although various forms of religiousness have been found to be associated with women’s body image, sexuality, and personal and professional roles, these studies have failed to examine multiple aspects of religiousness and femininity (i.e., conformity to feminine norms) concurrently. The current study explored the association between femininity and religiousness among women using multivariate definitions of these constructs. As hypothesised, there were multiple significant associations between religiousness and femininity. In terms of the more complex, multivariate relationships, more conservative and “traditional” religiousness was found to be associated with high sexual fidelity, adherence to domestic roles, and adherence to being sweet and nice. Also, minimal engagement in religiousness was associated with low levels of modesty, low adherence to being nice, and more emphasis on being in a romantic relationship. Several simpler, bivariate relationships were also found as hypothesised.