Showing papers by "Everett L. Worthington published in 2010"

Humility: Review of measurement strategies and conceptualization as personality judgment

Abstract: Humility is an understudied virtue in positive psychology. Both conceptual and methodological challenges have retarded its study. In this article, we discuss how humility has been defined. Specifically, researchers disagree whether humility refers to the accuracy of an individual's view of self, or whether humility primarily describes someone's interpersonal stance toward others. We critique four approaches that researchers have used to measure humility: self-reports, implicit measures, social comparisons of self to others, and informant ratings of humility. We then theoretically elaborate on the later method, which has been mostly overlooked. Accordingly, we present a model of relational humility. We define humility as a relationship-specific personality judgment, and we describe the relationship factors that affect how humility is perceived [Funder, D.C. (1995). On the accuracy of personality judgment: A realistic approach. Psychological Review, 102, 652–670.]. Finally, we provide next steps for researc...

Measuring Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity: A Critical Review of Instruments

Abstract: Research has proliferated on sexual addiction in recent years, and this has led to an increase in the instruments created to measure this construct. The authors review 17 instruments that have been created to assess sexual addiction, including self-report rating scales, self-report checklists, and clinician rating scales measuring symptoms of sexual addiction, as well as self-report rating scales measuring consequences associated with sexual addiction. For each instrument, the authors describe its structure, conceptual basis, and samples studied. They also evaluate the evidence for the reliability and validity of each instrument. The instruments vary widely in their psychometric properties. Many have been created recently, and others have only been studied in specific populations. For each group of instruments, the authors make recommendations for researchers and clinicians.

Comparison of Two Group Interventions to Promote Forgiveness: Empathy as a Mediator of Change

Abstract: Undergraduate student volunteers (N=97) were randomly assigned to one of two six-hour forgiveness psychoeducational seminars or to a wait-list control group. Based on attachment theory, forgiveness was conceptualized in relation to the care-giving behavioral system (Mikulincer & Shaver, 2007). Both the Empathy Forgiveness Seminar and the Self-enhancement Forgiveness Seminar facilitated forgiveness to a greater degree than the wait-list control group at post-test and six-week follow-up. Empathy mediated changes in participants' forgiveness scores regardless of seminar condition. Shame-proneness was negatively related to post-test forgiveness scores and guilt-proneness was positively related to forgiveness at post-test and follow-up. Implications for interventions are discussed.

Relational Spirituality and Forgiveness: Development of the Spiritual Humility Scale (Shs):

Abstract: Research on spirituality and forgiveness has begun to examine the types of dynamic, spiritual experiences that can promote forgiveness. Specifically, we explore how victims may see an offender’s humility in relationship with the Sacred, and how this appraisal affects forgiveness. We also describe the development of the Spiritual Humility Scale (SHS). In Study 1 ( N = 300; F = 166, M = 134), the SHS had a single-factor structure using exploratory factor analysis. In Study 2 (N = 150), the factor structure replicated and evidence supporting construct validity was adduced. Specifically, the SHS was moderately correlated with other spiritual appraisals and with judgments of general humility. It was correlated with forgiveness, even after controlling for other spiritual appraisals. This relationship was moderated by religious commitment, such that appraising spiritual humility affected forgiveness for those high, but not low, in religious commitment.

Interventions to Promote Forgiveness in Couple and Family Context: Conceptualization, Review, and Analysis

Abstract: Forgiveness interventions have not been adapted for children, couples, families, and also specifically with Christians. Conceptualization and theorizing have lagged empirical studies. We use a stre...

Sex differences in forgiveness and mental health in recently married couples

Abstract: Using self-report assessments, from a positive psychology framework, we examined recently-married couples for potential sex-related differences in (1) overall marital forgiveness, (2) perceptions of partner's forgiveness, and (3) relationships between sex, marital satisfaction, marital forgiveness, and self-reported mental health. Participants were 311 community-based couples married less than a year. Men reported more marital forgiveness in the marriage and more empathy toward their spouse after a still-troublesome transgression than did females. Furthermore, females perceived their male partners as being more forgiving of them than male partners perceived their female partners’ forgiveness. Marital satisfaction, severity of hurts, and sex accounted for variance in marital forgiveness. Sex, severity of hurts, frequency of transgressions, marital satisfaction, and marital forgiveness accounted for variance in mental health symptoms.

A Psychoeducational Intervention to Promote Forgiveness in Christians in the Philippines

Abstract: Psychoeducational group interventions to promote forgiveness have been studied mainly with college students who are struggling to forgive. Mental health counselors must tailor interventions to different populations. It is important to investigate whether forgiveness interventions generalize to different contexts. In the present study, we provide a rigorous test for adaptation of one evidence-based psychoeducational group intervention. Five pre-test/post-test interventions were conducted in the Philippines adapting a five-step forgiveness model for both religion and culture. Groups were conducted at three Christian churches (n = 5 for individuals; and n = 8 and n = 7 for couples participating individually); one Christian retreat center (n = 8); and one college dormitory (n = 4). Participants reported a decrease in unforgiving motivations toward their offenders and an increase in forgiveness of the offenders. Adapting the Christian-oriented forgiveness model to both Filipino culture and religious terminolog...

Forgiveness and spirituality in organizational life: theory, status of research, and new ideas for discovery

Abstract: Spirituality is one’s intimacy and closeness with something beyond the self that is held to be sacred (ie God, humankind, nature, the cosmos) Workplace conflict and lingering resultant unforgiveness disrupt individuals’ senses of spirituality in the workplace – both in their individual lives and their sense of shared spiritual closeness Forgiveness is one important way to restore spiritual harmony We define forgiveness, and briefly review the literature addressing forgiveness in organizations We also present a model of relational spirituality and forgiveness that addresses how spiritual appraisals around transgressions can help or hinder forgiving and communication around transgressions We apply this model of spirituality and forgiveness to organizations We conclude by noting areas of future research needed in this area

Relational Spirituality and Dealing With Transgressions: Development of the Relational Engagement of the Sacred for a Transgression (REST) Scale

Abstract: In the study of spirituality and forgiveness, researchers have begun to look at how dynamic spiritual experiences influence forgiveness. In three studies, we develop the Relational Engagement of the Sacred for a Transgression (REST) Scale, which assesses the extent to which victims actively engage a relationship with the Sacred to deal with a specific transgression. In Study 1, exploratory factor analysis was used to determine the factor structure of the REST. In Study 2, the factor structure was replicated using confirmatory factory analysis. The REST was correlated with religious commitment and negatively related to avoidant attachment to God. In Study 3, evidence supporting the scale's construct validity was adduced. REST scores were correlated with other appraisals of relational spirituality. Structural equation modeling was used to compare theoretical models. REST scores were related to dedication to the Sacred and viewing the transgression as a desecration. In addition, REST scores were positively r...

Forgiveness and Reconciliation in Social Reconstruction After Trauma

Abstract: We examine social reconstruction after human-caused trauma – with a focus on warfare, civil disquiet, or conflict. Specifically, we examine the roles of forgiveness and reconciliation in social reconstruction. Forgiveness promotes both trustworthy and trusting behavior, which can lead to reconciliation. Forgiveness and reconciliation help heal past memories, restore present trust, and thus pave the way for breaking future cycles of trauma. Forgiveness and reconciliation happen in the present but affect the future. They arise from the crucible of conflict and trauma in which people’s hopes can be squashed. Yet, forgiveness and reconciliation can also renew crushed spirits, which can lead not only to inner peace within an individual but to peace within a country torn apart by conflict. We suggest a model of aggression and related model of peacemaking and reconciliation. We also offer a series of societal and diplomacy recommendations that are meant to facilitate forgiveness and reconciliation following social traumas.

Training Parents in Forgiving and Reconciling

Abstract: Teaching parents how to forgive transgressions of parenting partners may reduce negative emotions, increase positive emotions, and, thus, decrease parenting stress. We implemented a waiting-list design to investigate the efficacy of a 9-hour psychoeducational group intervention, Forgiveness and Reconciliation through Experiencing Empathy (FREE), presented to 27 parents and caregivers of children 0–9 years old. Participants receiving FREE exhibited increased forgiveness of a target offense by the parenting partner and increased forgiveness of all parenting offenses. This study offers initial evidence that an intervention to promote forgiveness and reconciliation in parents could be beneficial and might improve parenting relations.