This study focused on three kinds of intelligence that seem to be important in adaptive processes... more This study focused on three kinds of intelligence that seem to be important in adaptive processes - rational (RI), emotional (EI), and spiritual (SI) – and their relations with personality, spirituality, religiousness as well as life purpose and satisfaction. A multinational sample (N = 690) consisting of research participants from Israel (N = 181), Turkey (N = 110), Poland (N = 275) and Germany (N = 120) responded to an internet questionnaire. (A United States sample is to be included as well). As predicted, EI and SI were significantly correlated (rs = .29 to .60). However, RI was not correlated with either EI or SI. Also, as predicted, SI was significantly correlated with Openness to Experience, cognitive and experiential aspects of spirituality as well as with spiritual and religious interests. For the Turkish and German samples, SI was also correlated with Extraversion, but the effect sizes were small (rs = .19 - .20). Finally, hierarchical regression indicated that for all samples – excepting the Polish sample – SI had a unique contribution to the prediction of purpose in life over and above that of RI and EI. However, EI had a much larger contribution in comparison to SI. In contrast, for the prediction of life satisfaction, SI had a unique contribution only among the Israeli sample, where the contribution was much smaller in comparison with EI. In all of the regression analysis, RI did not have a significant contribution to the prediction of either life satisfaction or purpose in life
The interrelated processes of finding meaning and making control attributions are examined among ... more The interrelated processes of finding meaning and making control attributions are examined among cancer patients (N = 168) for whom religion is either a non-central (aschematics, n = 55) or central (schematics, n = 76) aspect in their self definitions. Various quality of life indices, in addition to cognitive and behavioral measures of religiosity, display complex relations to the prediction of the individual's level of reported experience of finding meaning and control attributions, depending upon schematicity. No single unifying factor is discerned concerning how the two groups experience meaning; initial perceptions of threat appear to be a common theme in relation to how they attribute control. Additionally, aschematics, as opposed to schematics, report less improvement in their relationships with family and friends as well as less confidence in how they have personally coped with the cancer related experience.
International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, Oct 1, 2013
Bernard Spilka needs little introduction to many readers of the psychology of religion. Part of h... more Bernard Spilka needs little introduction to many readers of the psychology of religion. Part of his influence comes from being a key contributor to the field’s revitalization in the 1960s and 1970s. It is so difficult to do a literature search without finding that Bernie has already explored the territory that Ken Pargament (personal communication, 2013), an author in this issue, wrote, “In the beginning, there was Bernie Spilka: : : : ” (Bernie’s work on the history of the psychology of religion clarifies that he knows his contributions did not start so early, but he has indicated that he taught his first course somewhere between the Jurassic and Paleolithic eras.) Many readers, however, may be surprised at the breadth of his influence. Bernie’s work came to pivotal importance in 1985. In that year Spilka, Hood, and Gorsuch (1985) masterfully summarized the scientific literature. Now in its fourth edition (Hood, Hill, & Spilka, 2009), this volume, and the empirical approach it declared, has stood the test of time. It is hard to tell how many careers have been launched by the research ideas these authors inserted into each edition. As Ralph Hood (2013, p. 294) writes in this issue, “Bernie has long championed the need for strong theory and has always been clear that theory must have empirical consequences.” This perspective was emphasized by his later edited volume describing useful theories in the field (Spilka & McIntosh, 1996). In his mid-80s at this writing, Bernie’s influence on the scientific
Stigma is a well-documented barrier to effective individual and community response to mental illn... more Stigma is a well-documented barrier to effective individual and community response to mental illness and, in recent years, is a recognized impediment to prevention and treatment of substance use disorders (SUDs). This study uses focus group data to explore stigmatizing views of medication assisted recovery (MAR) among those in recovery and the people, organizations, and communities that surround them, with attention to implications for long-term recovery. Across groups, we find consistent themes that MAR simply trades one drug for another, MAR should be used only as a stepping-stone to full abstinence, and that long-term use of MAR indicates ineffectiveness or treatment failure. Data suggest the prevalence of these perceptions leads those in recovery and providers to see MAR as a last resort treatment, encourages individuals to discontinue MAR before they are ready, and as result increases risk of relapse and overdose.
International Association Psychology of Religion (IAPR), 2019
This study focused on three kinds of intelligence that seem to be important in adaptive processes... more This study focused on three kinds of intelligence that seem to be important in adaptive processes - rational (RI), emotional (EI), and spiritual (SI) – and their relations with personality, spirituality, religiousness as well as life purpose and satisfaction. A multinational sample (N = 690) consisting of research participants from Israel (N = 181), Turkey (N = 110), Poland (N = 275) and Germany (N = 120) responded to an internet questionnaire. (A United States sample is to be included as well). As predicted, EI and SI were significantly correlated (rs = .29 to .60). However, RI was not correlated with either EI or SI. Also, as predicted, SI was significantly correlated with Openness to Experience, cognitive and experiential aspects of spirituality as well as with spiritual and religious interests. For the Turkish and German samples, SI was also correlated with Extraversion, but the effect sizes were small (rs = .19 - .20). Finally, hierarchical regression indicated that for all samples – excepting the Polish sample – SI had a unique contribution to the prediction of purpose in life over and above that of RI and EI. However, EI had a much larger contribution in comparison to SI. In contrast, for the prediction of life satisfaction, SI had a unique contribution only among the Israeli sample, where the contribution was much smaller in comparison with EI. In all of the regression analysis, RI did not have a significant contribution to the prediction of either life satisfaction or purpose in life
Is fundamentalism universal across religious cultures? We investigated this issue by focusing on ... more Is fundamentalism universal across religious cultures? We investigated this issue by focusing on 3 questions: (a) the dimensionality of fundamentalism, as measured by the Religious Fundamentalism Scale (Altemeyer & Hunsberger, 2004); (b) the very nature of fundamentalism as denoting dogmatic
Journal of Prevention & Intervention in the Community, 2015
Incarceration is often thought to be most relevant to the offender and the victim, yet the networ... more Incarceration is often thought to be most relevant to the offender and the victim, yet the network of influence involves parents, children, significant others, and community members. Participants in this project viewed a pre-recorded play highlighting the ripple effects of incarceration, then engaged in a series of discussions sharing their own experiences and concerns. Content analysis of those discussions supported a variety of themes including a perceived lack of productive response from communities of faith. The themes are positioned in the framework of efficacy theory, demonstrating the ebb and flow of this sense of personal control in relation to encounters with incarceration.
Research in the Social Scientific Study of Religion, Volume 18
Page 224. INWARD, OUTWARD, UPWARD PRAYERS AND PERSONAL CHARACTER Kevin L. Ladd, Meleah L. Ladd, P... more Page 224. INWARD, OUTWARD, UPWARD PRAYERS AND PERSONAL CHARACTER Kevin L. Ladd, Meleah L. Ladd, Peter Ashbaugh, Danielle Trnka, Julie Harner, Kate St. Pierre, and Ted Swanson Abstract Previous literature ...
“A Psicologia da Religião (PR) no Brasil atingiu a vida adulta. A análise retrospectiva do campo ... more “A Psicologia da Religião (PR) no Brasil atingiu a vida adulta. A análise retrospectiva do campo permite afirmar, analogicamente, que sua infância, marcada inicialmente pelo trabalho isolado de pessoas pioneiras nos princípios do século XX, deu lugar à adolescência gregária no começo da segunda metade do mesmo século, alcançou sua juventude ao ingressar, de modo mais ou menos permanente, ao ambiente acadêmico amplo, e chegou a sua maturidade. Esta é hoje claramente demonstrada nos resultados de esforços integrados de pesquisadores e pesquisadoras da área. [...] Ocorre que grande parte das pesquisas em Psicologia Cognitiva da Religião vale-se de dados coletados junto a estudantes universitários, e/ou pessoas com acesso a recursos materiais e à educação formal, e/ou, ainda, junto a pessoas ligadas a contextos religiosos marcados pelo monoteísmo. Boa parte desses estudos foram desenvolvidos nos contextos norte-americano e europeu. Apenas recentemente algumas das hipóteses de pretensão universal da Ciência Cognitiva da Religião têm sido testadas em sujeitos provindos de ambientes sociais diversos e, sobretudo, entre participantes de culturas religiosas com características distintas às encontradas nos meios acadêmicos norte-americanos e europeus. Neste sentido, ao ampliar o seu escopo de investigações, agregando e incorporando também a perspectiva cognitiva, a pesquisa em PR no Brasil precisa evitar que isso se dê à custa da mera importação de modelos teóricos já consolidados em contextos hegemônicos. [...] Parte-se do princípio de que esta se fortalece cada vez mais à medida que se reconhece e se permite ser simultaneamente constituída e atravessada por fluxos, devires, multiplicidades e diferenças.”
The beginning of the U.S. COVID-19 pandemic interrupted integral services and supports for those ... more The beginning of the U.S. COVID-19 pandemic interrupted integral services and supports for those in recovery from substance use disorders. The current study used qualitative and quantitative data to identify 1) pandemic-related barriers/stressors, 2) coping strategies employed, and 3) how the stressors and strategies predicted subsequent substance use frequency. Participants were 48 adults (40.5% female; 90.2% White) between 26 and 60 years old (M = 42.66, SD = 8.44) who were part of a larger, multi-year longitudinal study of individuals in recovery from substance use disorders. Individuals completed two interviews, one during the six weeks of initial stay-at-home orders in the state in which data were collected and the second within six to twelve months of their initial interview. Common barriers to recovery included cancelled support meetings, changes in job format (i.e., being fired or furloughed), and lack of social support. Common coping strategies included self-care, leisure activities/hobbies, taking caution against exposure, and strengthening personal relationships. The relationship between cravings at baseline and substance use at follow up was stronger for those who experienced worsening of their mental health (B = 21.80, p < .01) than for those who did not (B = 5.45, p = 0.09), and for those who were taking caution against exposure (B = 24.57, p < .01) than for those who were not (B = 1.87, p = 0.53). Those who engaged in self-care (B = 0.00, p>.99) had lower rates of substance use at follow-up than those who did not employ self-care as a coping mechanism (B = 16.10, p < .01). These findings inform research priorities regarding prospective effects of the pandemic on treatment endeavors, particularly emphasizing treating mental health and encouraging selfcare strategies.
The beginning of the U.S. COVID-19 pandemic interrupted integral services and supports for those ... more The beginning of the U.S. COVID-19 pandemic interrupted integral services and supports for those in recovery from substance use disorders. The current study used qualitative and quantitative data to identify 1) pandemic-related barriers/stressors, 2) coping strategies employed, and 3) how the stressors and strategies predicted subsequent substance use frequency. Participants were 48 adults (40.5% female; 90.2% White) between 26 and 60 years old (M = 42.66, SD = 8.44) who were part of a larger, multi-year longitudinal study of individuals in recovery from substance use disorders. Individuals completed two interviews, one during the six weeks of initial stay-at-home orders in the state in which data were collected and the second within six to twelve months of their initial interview. Common barriers to recovery included cancelled support meetings, changes in job format (i.e., being fired or furloughed), and lack of social support. Common coping strategies included self-care, leisure a...
Early in the American psychology of religion, prayer was a central topic, emphasizing the ''self'... more Early in the American psychology of religion, prayer was a central topic, emphasizing the ''self'' (James in Varieties of religious experience. Longmans, Green, New York, 1902) and social activity (Strong in The psychology of prayer. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 1909). These writings, and contemporary efforts as well, typically conceptualize prayer as a theistically directed activity of communication, locating the work firmly in Western faith traditions. While this orientation captures a portion of the practice within those traditions, it is difficult to carry that definition over into comparative studies with Eastern practices. The present paper explores alternative ways to think about prayer and analogous activities that may facilitate an East-West dialogue. In addition, nontheistic formulations may help extend the conversation to encompass the spiritual practices of people not associated with any sort of traditionally bounded belief system.
Spoken at many critical life and death moments, the phrase “it’s ok” often belies the actual situ... more Spoken at many critical life and death moments, the phrase “it’s ok” often belies the actual situational reality. Conceptualizing “it’s ok” as a form of prayer, the present paper considers how to understand the paradox of claiming that things are “ok” or “acceptable” when they clearly are not. The conclusion is reached that “it’s ok” as a prayer intends to tell a story of hope that recognizes and points beyond the frailty of the human condition.
This study focused on three kinds of intelligence that seem to be important in adaptive processes... more This study focused on three kinds of intelligence that seem to be important in adaptive processes - rational (RI), emotional (EI), and spiritual (SI) – and their relations with personality, spirituality, religiousness as well as life purpose and satisfaction. A multinational sample (N = 690) consisting of research participants from Israel (N = 181), Turkey (N = 110), Poland (N = 275) and Germany (N = 120) responded to an internet questionnaire. (A United States sample is to be included as well). As predicted, EI and SI were significantly correlated (rs = .29 to .60). However, RI was not correlated with either EI or SI. Also, as predicted, SI was significantly correlated with Openness to Experience, cognitive and experiential aspects of spirituality as well as with spiritual and religious interests. For the Turkish and German samples, SI was also correlated with Extraversion, but the effect sizes were small (rs = .19 - .20). Finally, hierarchical regression indicated that for all samples – excepting the Polish sample – SI had a unique contribution to the prediction of purpose in life over and above that of RI and EI. However, EI had a much larger contribution in comparison to SI. In contrast, for the prediction of life satisfaction, SI had a unique contribution only among the Israeli sample, where the contribution was much smaller in comparison with EI. In all of the regression analysis, RI did not have a significant contribution to the prediction of either life satisfaction or purpose in life
The interrelated processes of finding meaning and making control attributions are examined among ... more The interrelated processes of finding meaning and making control attributions are examined among cancer patients (N = 168) for whom religion is either a non-central (aschematics, n = 55) or central (schematics, n = 76) aspect in their self definitions. Various quality of life indices, in addition to cognitive and behavioral measures of religiosity, display complex relations to the prediction of the individual's level of reported experience of finding meaning and control attributions, depending upon schematicity. No single unifying factor is discerned concerning how the two groups experience meaning; initial perceptions of threat appear to be a common theme in relation to how they attribute control. Additionally, aschematics, as opposed to schematics, report less improvement in their relationships with family and friends as well as less confidence in how they have personally coped with the cancer related experience.
International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, Oct 1, 2013
Bernard Spilka needs little introduction to many readers of the psychology of religion. Part of h... more Bernard Spilka needs little introduction to many readers of the psychology of religion. Part of his influence comes from being a key contributor to the field’s revitalization in the 1960s and 1970s. It is so difficult to do a literature search without finding that Bernie has already explored the territory that Ken Pargament (personal communication, 2013), an author in this issue, wrote, “In the beginning, there was Bernie Spilka: : : : ” (Bernie’s work on the history of the psychology of religion clarifies that he knows his contributions did not start so early, but he has indicated that he taught his first course somewhere between the Jurassic and Paleolithic eras.) Many readers, however, may be surprised at the breadth of his influence. Bernie’s work came to pivotal importance in 1985. In that year Spilka, Hood, and Gorsuch (1985) masterfully summarized the scientific literature. Now in its fourth edition (Hood, Hill, & Spilka, 2009), this volume, and the empirical approach it declared, has stood the test of time. It is hard to tell how many careers have been launched by the research ideas these authors inserted into each edition. As Ralph Hood (2013, p. 294) writes in this issue, “Bernie has long championed the need for strong theory and has always been clear that theory must have empirical consequences.” This perspective was emphasized by his later edited volume describing useful theories in the field (Spilka & McIntosh, 1996). In his mid-80s at this writing, Bernie’s influence on the scientific
Stigma is a well-documented barrier to effective individual and community response to mental illn... more Stigma is a well-documented barrier to effective individual and community response to mental illness and, in recent years, is a recognized impediment to prevention and treatment of substance use disorders (SUDs). This study uses focus group data to explore stigmatizing views of medication assisted recovery (MAR) among those in recovery and the people, organizations, and communities that surround them, with attention to implications for long-term recovery. Across groups, we find consistent themes that MAR simply trades one drug for another, MAR should be used only as a stepping-stone to full abstinence, and that long-term use of MAR indicates ineffectiveness or treatment failure. Data suggest the prevalence of these perceptions leads those in recovery and providers to see MAR as a last resort treatment, encourages individuals to discontinue MAR before they are ready, and as result increases risk of relapse and overdose.
International Association Psychology of Religion (IAPR), 2019
This study focused on three kinds of intelligence that seem to be important in adaptive processes... more This study focused on three kinds of intelligence that seem to be important in adaptive processes - rational (RI), emotional (EI), and spiritual (SI) – and their relations with personality, spirituality, religiousness as well as life purpose and satisfaction. A multinational sample (N = 690) consisting of research participants from Israel (N = 181), Turkey (N = 110), Poland (N = 275) and Germany (N = 120) responded to an internet questionnaire. (A United States sample is to be included as well). As predicted, EI and SI were significantly correlated (rs = .29 to .60). However, RI was not correlated with either EI or SI. Also, as predicted, SI was significantly correlated with Openness to Experience, cognitive and experiential aspects of spirituality as well as with spiritual and religious interests. For the Turkish and German samples, SI was also correlated with Extraversion, but the effect sizes were small (rs = .19 - .20). Finally, hierarchical regression indicated that for all samples – excepting the Polish sample – SI had a unique contribution to the prediction of purpose in life over and above that of RI and EI. However, EI had a much larger contribution in comparison to SI. In contrast, for the prediction of life satisfaction, SI had a unique contribution only among the Israeli sample, where the contribution was much smaller in comparison with EI. In all of the regression analysis, RI did not have a significant contribution to the prediction of either life satisfaction or purpose in life
Is fundamentalism universal across religious cultures? We investigated this issue by focusing on ... more Is fundamentalism universal across religious cultures? We investigated this issue by focusing on 3 questions: (a) the dimensionality of fundamentalism, as measured by the Religious Fundamentalism Scale (Altemeyer & Hunsberger, 2004); (b) the very nature of fundamentalism as denoting dogmatic
Journal of Prevention & Intervention in the Community, 2015
Incarceration is often thought to be most relevant to the offender and the victim, yet the networ... more Incarceration is often thought to be most relevant to the offender and the victim, yet the network of influence involves parents, children, significant others, and community members. Participants in this project viewed a pre-recorded play highlighting the ripple effects of incarceration, then engaged in a series of discussions sharing their own experiences and concerns. Content analysis of those discussions supported a variety of themes including a perceived lack of productive response from communities of faith. The themes are positioned in the framework of efficacy theory, demonstrating the ebb and flow of this sense of personal control in relation to encounters with incarceration.
Research in the Social Scientific Study of Religion, Volume 18
Page 224. INWARD, OUTWARD, UPWARD PRAYERS AND PERSONAL CHARACTER Kevin L. Ladd, Meleah L. Ladd, P... more Page 224. INWARD, OUTWARD, UPWARD PRAYERS AND PERSONAL CHARACTER Kevin L. Ladd, Meleah L. Ladd, Peter Ashbaugh, Danielle Trnka, Julie Harner, Kate St. Pierre, and Ted Swanson Abstract Previous literature ...
“A Psicologia da Religião (PR) no Brasil atingiu a vida adulta. A análise retrospectiva do campo ... more “A Psicologia da Religião (PR) no Brasil atingiu a vida adulta. A análise retrospectiva do campo permite afirmar, analogicamente, que sua infância, marcada inicialmente pelo trabalho isolado de pessoas pioneiras nos princípios do século XX, deu lugar à adolescência gregária no começo da segunda metade do mesmo século, alcançou sua juventude ao ingressar, de modo mais ou menos permanente, ao ambiente acadêmico amplo, e chegou a sua maturidade. Esta é hoje claramente demonstrada nos resultados de esforços integrados de pesquisadores e pesquisadoras da área. [...] Ocorre que grande parte das pesquisas em Psicologia Cognitiva da Religião vale-se de dados coletados junto a estudantes universitários, e/ou pessoas com acesso a recursos materiais e à educação formal, e/ou, ainda, junto a pessoas ligadas a contextos religiosos marcados pelo monoteísmo. Boa parte desses estudos foram desenvolvidos nos contextos norte-americano e europeu. Apenas recentemente algumas das hipóteses de pretensão universal da Ciência Cognitiva da Religião têm sido testadas em sujeitos provindos de ambientes sociais diversos e, sobretudo, entre participantes de culturas religiosas com características distintas às encontradas nos meios acadêmicos norte-americanos e europeus. Neste sentido, ao ampliar o seu escopo de investigações, agregando e incorporando também a perspectiva cognitiva, a pesquisa em PR no Brasil precisa evitar que isso se dê à custa da mera importação de modelos teóricos já consolidados em contextos hegemônicos. [...] Parte-se do princípio de que esta se fortalece cada vez mais à medida que se reconhece e se permite ser simultaneamente constituída e atravessada por fluxos, devires, multiplicidades e diferenças.”
The beginning of the U.S. COVID-19 pandemic interrupted integral services and supports for those ... more The beginning of the U.S. COVID-19 pandemic interrupted integral services and supports for those in recovery from substance use disorders. The current study used qualitative and quantitative data to identify 1) pandemic-related barriers/stressors, 2) coping strategies employed, and 3) how the stressors and strategies predicted subsequent substance use frequency. Participants were 48 adults (40.5% female; 90.2% White) between 26 and 60 years old (M = 42.66, SD = 8.44) who were part of a larger, multi-year longitudinal study of individuals in recovery from substance use disorders. Individuals completed two interviews, one during the six weeks of initial stay-at-home orders in the state in which data were collected and the second within six to twelve months of their initial interview. Common barriers to recovery included cancelled support meetings, changes in job format (i.e., being fired or furloughed), and lack of social support. Common coping strategies included self-care, leisure activities/hobbies, taking caution against exposure, and strengthening personal relationships. The relationship between cravings at baseline and substance use at follow up was stronger for those who experienced worsening of their mental health (B = 21.80, p < .01) than for those who did not (B = 5.45, p = 0.09), and for those who were taking caution against exposure (B = 24.57, p < .01) than for those who were not (B = 1.87, p = 0.53). Those who engaged in self-care (B = 0.00, p>.99) had lower rates of substance use at follow-up than those who did not employ self-care as a coping mechanism (B = 16.10, p < .01). These findings inform research priorities regarding prospective effects of the pandemic on treatment endeavors, particularly emphasizing treating mental health and encouraging selfcare strategies.
The beginning of the U.S. COVID-19 pandemic interrupted integral services and supports for those ... more The beginning of the U.S. COVID-19 pandemic interrupted integral services and supports for those in recovery from substance use disorders. The current study used qualitative and quantitative data to identify 1) pandemic-related barriers/stressors, 2) coping strategies employed, and 3) how the stressors and strategies predicted subsequent substance use frequency. Participants were 48 adults (40.5% female; 90.2% White) between 26 and 60 years old (M = 42.66, SD = 8.44) who were part of a larger, multi-year longitudinal study of individuals in recovery from substance use disorders. Individuals completed two interviews, one during the six weeks of initial stay-at-home orders in the state in which data were collected and the second within six to twelve months of their initial interview. Common barriers to recovery included cancelled support meetings, changes in job format (i.e., being fired or furloughed), and lack of social support. Common coping strategies included self-care, leisure a...
Early in the American psychology of religion, prayer was a central topic, emphasizing the ''self'... more Early in the American psychology of religion, prayer was a central topic, emphasizing the ''self'' (James in Varieties of religious experience. Longmans, Green, New York, 1902) and social activity (Strong in The psychology of prayer. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 1909). These writings, and contemporary efforts as well, typically conceptualize prayer as a theistically directed activity of communication, locating the work firmly in Western faith traditions. While this orientation captures a portion of the practice within those traditions, it is difficult to carry that definition over into comparative studies with Eastern practices. The present paper explores alternative ways to think about prayer and analogous activities that may facilitate an East-West dialogue. In addition, nontheistic formulations may help extend the conversation to encompass the spiritual practices of people not associated with any sort of traditionally bounded belief system.
Spoken at many critical life and death moments, the phrase “it’s ok” often belies the actual situ... more Spoken at many critical life and death moments, the phrase “it’s ok” often belies the actual situational reality. Conceptualizing “it’s ok” as a form of prayer, the present paper considers how to understand the paradox of claiming that things are “ok” or “acceptable” when they clearly are not. The conclusion is reached that “it’s ok” as a prayer intends to tell a story of hope that recognizes and points beyond the frailty of the human condition.
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Papers by Kevin Ladd