The Causality Distinction,Kenosis, and a Middle Way: Aquinas and Polkinghorne on Divine Action

This article evaluates and considers two important philosophical contributions to the discussion considering divine action in the work of Thomas Aquinas and John Polkinghorne. Aquinas argues that God employs both primary and secondary causality, in that God causes some events directly by divine power and others by means of secondary causes. Polkinghorne argues that this approach makes God the author of evil and opts instead for a “kenotic approach” to divine action, wherein God chooses to “empty” God's self of complete divine control. We think that these views can complement each other and need not represent mutually exclusive alternatives.     

Evidence that episodic memory impairment during tobacco abstinence is independent of attentional mechanisms

Previous studies have demonstrated reductions in episodic memory during nicotine withdrawal. However, these studies have been unable to dissociate memory reductions from losses in attention associated with tobacco abstinence. In the present study, the authors sought to determine whether episodic memory reduction is a primary effect of nicotine withdrawal during tobacco abstinence. Heavy smokers were tested when smoking normally and following 24 hrs of abstinence. Participants were tested with a recognition memory task in which items were studied under full and divided attention conditions. Forward digit span and backward digit span were also included as control measures. Withdrawal was associated with a reduction in memory performance that was independent of attention at encoding. The authors conclude that impairment of episodic memory is a primary effect of nicotine withdrawal during tobacco abstinence. Further research is required to determine if this is associated with continued use of tobacco and cessation failures.     

Trajectories of relationship satisfaction: Independent contributions of capitalization and support perceptions

Associations among perceptions of partner responses to disclosures about capitalization and support experiences and relationship satisfaction were examined over 1 year in 268 individuals in romantic relationships. Multilevel modeling indicated that capitalization and support perceptions covaried over 1 year, but they independently predicted contemporaneous relationship satisfaction and appeared to be compensatory processes. However, with increasing relationship duration, support perceptions became more strongly associated with relationship satisfaction, whereas capitalization perceptions became less strongly associated with relationship satisfaction, suggesting that capitalization perceptions may play less of a buffering role with time. Results suggested that perceiving partners as interested and enthusiastic in the face of triumph, and as caring and supportive in the face of difficulties, serve important and independent relationship maintenance functions.     

An Exploratory Evaluation of the Cognitive-Active Gender Role Identification Continuum

Individual beliefs and expectations regarding gender roles influence interpersonal behavior. If family therapists ignore or avoid discussions regarding gender roles, change may ultimately be inhibited. The Cognitive-Active Gender Role Identification Continuum (CAGRIC) is a framework that may facilitate a therapist's discussion of gender roles and the ways in which gender role expectations impact their clients’ relationships. Using data from the 2002 International Social Survey Program module on “Family and Changing Gender Roles,” this study examines the gender role classifications proposed by the CAGRIC model and the influence of gender role beliefs and behaviors on relationship satisfaction. Data from Australia, Brazil, Israel, Japan, Russia, Spain, and the United States are used to test the clustering and congruence hypotheses of the CAGRIC model. Results suggest support for the clustering hypothesis of the model, especially in Western countries.     

Memory in a Whiteheadian Perspective

Whitehead does not provide us with a systematic account of the various types of experience to which the word “memory” is applied. Nevertheless, he does provide us with a way of understanding the world, and living creatures who inhabit it, that places the discussion in a different context from the usual one: the diverse features of human experience that we call memory are developed forms of basic patterns of relationship that characterize all actual entities. I will first review the relevant features of Whitehead's conceptuality, then contrast the resulting view with its usual formulation, and then speculate about some forms of memory in Whiteheadian categories.     

Romantic involvement and depressive symptoms in early and late adolescence: The role of a preoccupied relational style

Two studies examined the association between depressive symptoms and romantic involvement in adolescence and tested the hypothesis that romantic involvement is associated more strongly with symptoms among adolescents who have a more preoccupied style of relating, compared to adolescents who have a less preoccupied style of relating. Study 1 (N = 96 early adolescent females) examined concurrent associations and Study 2 (N = 80 late adolescent males and females) examined longitudinal associations. In both age groups, romantic involvement was associated with greater depressive symptoms and this was most true among adolescents with a preoccupied style of relating. Implications for models of depression and adolescent romantic functioning are discussed.     

Black Reltrad: Measuring Religious Diversity and Commonality Among African Americans

The Black Church has remained an important topic of scholarly interest for more than a century, but less attention has been devoted to the consequences of contrasting denominational affiliations within the African‐American Protestant religious tradition. We advance a new coding scheme that allows researchers to measure and test black affiliates across a range of denominations with roots inside and outside of the greater Black Church. Findings from the 1972 to 2014 General Social Surveys indicate that our “Black Reltrad” syntax more meticulously captures similarities and differences among African Americans with respect to religious sensibilities, religious‐related social attitudes, and engagement in black politics than extant coding schemes. Consequently, although the legacy of racial discrimination and inequality binds blacks together, scholars must also recognize differences within the African‐American Protestant religious tradition.     

Family Therapy Techniques in Residential Settings: Family Sculptures and Reflecting Teams

Outcome data has shown that family therapy is highly effective in the treatment of many disorders including addiction, mood, and other issues. In working to make treatment as effective as possible, many residential treatment and outdoor behavioral healthcare (OBH) programs have adopted family therapy techniques for use in individual and peer group therapy settings. Some have also incorporated family members by inviting them to visit the residential setting and participate in treatment exercises. An article by Faddis and Bettmann (J Ther Sch Program 1(1): 57–69, 2006) outlines an example of this integrated approach to family sculptures and reflecting teams in a wilderness therapy setting for adolescents. This integrated technique has since come to be known as the four phase Familial Sculpting and Reflecting intervention. Most recently these methods have been expanded for use with young men ages 18–30 in an adventure wilderness therapy program. This article will examine the theoretical basis for both of these approaches, discuss the application of these techniques to residential OBH programs and review how these methods have been most recently adapted for use in another program.