Writing Discernment in Theological Education

How can we best address writing improvement for seminary students? This article describes the implementation of a Writing Assistance Program that teaches remedial skills in grammar structure and paper organization as well as mentors all students to develop their fullest writing potential. Four models of writing instruction are discussed and examples are given of the best use of each. The article concludes with lessons learned from the experience and tips for other seminaries.     

Applying the Schlossberg 4S Transition Model to Retired University Faculty: Does It Fit?

The authors surveyed university faculty to investigate whether the Schlossberg 4S Transition Model was a useful way to look at retirement adjustment. Participants were asked questions regarding aspects of situation, self, support, and strategies before and after retirement. Results are described in relation to overall retirement satisfaction.     

Does binge eating play a role in the self-regulation of moods?

Self-reported emotional experiences and eating behaviors were studied in college students in an attempt to determine what types of emotional experiences precede and follow binge eating and how specific types of compensatory behaviors modify these experiences. First-year male and female students (N=390) were surveyed for depression, anxiety, health status, life satisfaction, and eating attitudes (EAT-26). Those reporting recurrent binge eating episodes were asked to describe their emotional feelings before and after bingeing and before and after compensatory activities. EAT-26 scores corresponding to scores previously reported for eating disordered patients were found in 9.7% of students. Binge eating was nearly twice as frequent among females (16.4%) as males (8.6%) Among females, positive relationships were found between specific EAT-26 factors scores and both anxiety and depression scores. The emotional antecedents and consequences of binge eating and of compensatory activities were compared in three sub-groups of individuals who reported recurrent bingeing with loss of self-control during binges. The three sub-groups consisted of individuals who reported, 1) bingeing without engaging in compensatory activities, 2) bingeing and compensating by means other than vomiting (fasting, exercising, or use of laxatives or diuretics), and 3) bingeing and compensating by vomiting. Regardless of the type of activity, those individuals who engaged in compensatory activities reported greater negative affect preceding binge episodes than those who did not compensate. In addition, contrary to expectations, negative affect did not decrease, but instead increased significantly, following binge episodes and decreased immediately before and after compensatory activities.     

Reviews: Books and Films

TO REDEEM ONE PERSON IS TO REDEEM THE WORLD: THE LIFE OF FRIEDA FROMM-REICHMANN. By Gail A. Hornstein. 390 pp. New York: The Free Press, 2000. $35. THE GUIDE TO PASTORAL COUNSELING AND CARE. Edited by Gary Ahlskog and Harry Sands. 415 pp. Madison, CT: International Universities Press and Psychosocial Press, 2000. $60. THE ART OF DYING: A JUNGIAN VIEW OF PATIENTS' DRAWINGS. By Yvonne Barnhouse Williams. 209 pp. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas, 1999. $24.95. LITTLE SAINT. By Hannah Green. New York: Random House, 2000. $25.95. BODY AND SOUL: HUMAN NATURE AND THE CRISIS IN ETHICS. By J.P. Moreland and Scott B. Rae. 350 pp. InterVarsity Press, 2000. $22.99. MUHAMMAD AND THE RISE OF ISLAM: THE CREATION OF GROUP IDENTITY. By Subhash C. Inamdar, M.D. 266 pp. Madison, Ct: International Universities Press and Psychosocial Press, 2001. $40. MANAGING MANAGED CARE: SECRETS FROM A FORMER CASE MANAGER. By Susan Frager. 276 pp. New York: John Wiley and Sons, 2000. $45. THE DISABLED GOD: TOWARD A LIBERATORY THEOLOGY OF DISABILITY. By Nancy L. Eiesland. 139 pp. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1994. $15. A LIFE COMPLETE. By Sallierae Henderson. 222 pp. New York: Scribner, 2000. $24. BIOENGAGEMENT: MAKING A CHRISTIAN DIFFERENCE IN BIOETHICS TODAY. Edited by Nigel Cameron, Scott Daniel and Barbara White. 265 pp. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm.B.Eerdmans, 2000. $22. CALLED INTO HEALING: RECLAIMING OUR JUDEO-CHRISTIAN LEGACY OF HEALING TOUCH. By Linda L. Smith. 244 pp. Arvada, CO: HTSM Press, 2000. $22.95. SURVEYING THE RELIGIOUS LANDSCAPE: TRENDS IN U.S. BELIEFS. By George Gallup, Jr. and D. Michael Lindsay. 171 pp. Harrisburg, PA: Morehouse Publishing, 1999. $17.95. The Straight Story. Snow Falling On Cedars     

The impact of depression on caregivers and other family members: Implications for professional support

Inspired by clinical contacts with a number of clients with a depressed relative, this research focuses upon how a person in such circumstances is affected. Based upon a self-selected sample of members of the Depression Alliance a postal questionnaire and detailed interviews were conducted. The authors propose a four-phase model of the caregiving experience and consider the following questions: how do families account for depression? How is a family's emotional life affected? What have been caregivers' experiences with mental health professionals? What are the factors which assist or hinder their search for help? Is there a role for counselling and if so, is there a best time for it? Findings support the notion that family caregivers are a group at risk and that their need to talk about their mutative experiences is optimally met through supportive and exploratory counselling once patient-state is stable.     

A group-based treatment for clients with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in a secondary care mental health setting: Integrating new developments within cognitive behavioural interventions – An exploratory study

Aims: This paper presents a model of a group-based intervention for the treatment of clients with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) referred to secondary mental health care services, which has been developed by the authors over the last five years. Method: Groups are not a common form of treatment design for this client group, however the available literature is briefly reviewed and the common issues that informed the design are identified. Following this additional technique of neuropsychological theories, Mindfulness, and socialisation are presented and a brief rationale for their inclusion provided. Quantitative and Qualitative outcome measures of the most recent group are discussed with respect to the utility and validity of the model. Conclusion and implications for practice: It is concluded that the group has good ecological as well as outcome validity and provided a method of linking together evidence-based practice (EBP) and practice-based evidence (PBE) movements.