Spirituality and Support: A Descriptive Analysis of Online Social Support for Depression

This study examined supportive messages in spiritual and non-spiritual online support groups for depression. Both social support and religiosity have been associated with reduced depressive symptomology. Proportions of three types of support (i.e., informational, emotional, and network) were considered; messages were further delineated as being either religious or non-religious in nature. Messages (N = 2,674) from two Christian and two unaffiliated online groups were analyzed. Results indicated that Christian groups communicated more informational support and General groups communicated more network support. Christian groups communicated more religious messages. This and future research is valuable to practitioners and clergy aiding depressed individuals and to the literature on social support and religion.     

Individual and neo‐tribal consumption: Tales from the Simpsons of Springfield

The change from modernity to postmodernity has seen a dramatic increase in the use of goods and consumption both to gain and display meaning. Similarly, through the change towards the postmodern consumers are forever trying to balance the differentiating and integrating aspects of their behaviour in order to achieve a relationship with the society within which they exist. It is the authors' theory that much of this expression of differentiation and integration is achieved through consumption. Briefly, this paper puts forward a model for the analysis of consumption as an expression of the self (individualistic consumption) and as a system of meaning enabling linkage to social tribes (tribalistic consumption). Furthermore, the authors apply this framework in a semiotic analysis of The Simpsons. By examining the consumption and meaning of goods in a popular television show, an indirect reflection of modern society and the centrality of goods to meaning are highlighted. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Relapse Prevention Techniques in the Treatment of Childhood Anxiety Disorders: A Case Example

Research has shown that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an efficacious treatment for children and adolescents with anxiety disorders. CBT incorporates techniques such as cognitive restructuring and exposure, which foster symptom reduction. While these components promote sustained fear reduction, greater attention to relapse prevention (RP) may be warranted, particularly given the comorbidity associated with anxiety disorders. A case example demonstrates a comprehensive relapse prevention (RP) component. Specifically, parental involvement was emphasized as well as the creation of a bound book that consolidated skills and provided a concrete resource for potential future anxious episodes.     

Language deficits in dyslexic children: speech perception, phonology, and morphology

We investigated the relationship between dyslexia and three aspects of language: speech perception, phonology, and morphology. Reading and language tasks were administered to dyslexics aged 8-9 years and to two normal reader groups (age-matched and reading-level matched). Three dyslexic groups were identified: phonological dyslexics (PD), developmentally language impaired (LI), and globally delayed (delay-type dyslexics). The LI and PD groups exhibited similar patterns of reading impairment, attributed to low phonological skills. However, only the LI group showed clear speech perception deficits, suggesting that such deficits affect only a subset of dyslexics. Results also indicated phonological impairments in children whose speech perception was normal. Both the LI and the PD groups showed inflectional morphology difficulties, with the impairment being more severe in the LI group. The delay group's reading and language skills closely matched those of younger normal readers, suggesting these children had a general delay in reading and language skills, rather than a specific phonological impairment. The results are discussed in terms of models of word recognition and dyslexia.     

Exposure Therapy Beliefs and Utilization for Treatment of PTSD: A Survey of Licensed Mental Health Providers

Exposure-based therapies for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety disorders remain underutilized, despite their effectiveness and widescale dissemination efforts. This study surveyed a broad range of licensed providers (N = 155) to examine rates at which prolonged exposure (PE) and other interventions are used to treat PTSD and to investigate provider characteristics linked to exposure beliefs and utilization. While 92.3% of clinicians reported understanding of or training in exposure, only 55.5% of providers reported use of PE to treat PTSD. Clinicians with current cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) orientation, CBT training orientation, a doctoral degree, and training in PE endorsed greater likelihood of exposure utilization for PTSD (ps < .001, ds = 0.82–1.98) and less negative beliefs about exposure (ps < .01, ds = 0.55–2.00). Exposure beliefs also differed based on healthcare setting (p < .001). Among providers trained in exposure (n = 106), master’s degree and non-CBT current theoretical orientation were associated with high utilization yet also negative beliefs. Results suggest exposure training, accurate beliefs, and utilization still lag among some groups of providers. Additionally, negative beliefs and misunderstanding of the exposure rationale may persist even among providers who are trained and report high utilization.     

Typologies of Deification

Investigations into the Christian doctrine of deification have multiplied in recent years. Due especially to the emergence of studies on deification from the Western theological tradition, concerns are being raised about what constitutes a genuine doctrine of deification. This article considers three influential efforts to clarify the types of deification – from Norman Russell, Gösta Hallonsten and Paul Gavrilyuk – and offers critical and constructive proposals for identifying the core content of deification and its various types.