Although psychotherapy is a value-laden undertaking, the ways in which therapists' values affect their work are not well understood. Religion and spirituality (R/S) are potentially powerful influences on therapy that need to be studied in greater depth. To summarize existing research and encourage additional work, the authors conducted a systematic review of studies examining the relations between psychotherapists' R/S and therapy attitudes and behaviors, the therapeutic relationship, and treatment outcomes. In addition to requesting article recommendations from authors who had published on this topic, the authors searched the PsycINFO and PubMed electronic databases for original, peer-reviewed journal articles describing quantitative studies of the associations between therapist R/S and variables of interest. A total of 29 articles met inclusion criteria and were reviewed. On the basis of the studies reviewed, therapist R/S is positively correlated with favorable attitudes toward integrating R/S into therapy and confidence in one's ability to do so. Relatively few studies addressed other topics; thus, the following conclusions are more tentative. There is some evidence that therapists high in R/S tend to hold conservative social values and not to be supportive of unconventional sexual behavior. Therapists appear to prefer clients who share their R/S beliefs and values. However, therapist R/S and

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder are frequently comorbid and present significant treatment challenges. Unfortunately, since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States, the rates of PTSD and hazardous drinking among active duty service members have increased significantly. Previous research on PTSD has typically excluded participants with current substance abuse. However, there is some research examining independent treatments for PTSD and substance abuse provided consecutively, concurrently, or as enhancements to other treatment. The current study examined the association between current hazardous drinking and PTSD treatment among 108 active duty service members with PTSD in a randomized controlled trial of group cognitive processing therapy and group present-centered therapy. Total scores above 8 on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test defined hazardous alcohol use. At baseline, 25.0% of the sample was categorized as hazardous drinkers, and the hazardous and nonhazardous drinking groups did not differ in PTSD symptom severity, F(1, 106) = 0.08, p = .777, d = 0.06. Over the course of treatment, the two groups also did not differ significantly in PTSD symptom severity change on the PTSD Checklist, F(1, 106) = 1.20, p = .280, d = 0.33. Treatment for PTSD did not exacerbate hazardous drinking, and the hazardous drinking group showed significant reductions in drinking following PTSD treatment. Limitations and implications for treatment considerations are discussed. Jeffrey Yarvis is now at the 21st Combat Support Hospital at Fort Hood, Texas, USA.

No abstract

Objectives To assist researchers and clinicians considering using the Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith Questionnaire (SCSRFQ) with older-adult samples, the current study analyzed the psychometrics of SCSRFQ scores in two older-adult samples. Method Adults age 55 or older who had formerly participated in studies of cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety and/or depression were recruited to complete questionnaires. In Study 1 (N = 66), the authors assessed the relations between the SCSRFQ and other measures of religiousness/spirituality, mental health, and demographic variables, using bivariate correlations and nonparametric tests. In Study 2 (N = 223), the authors also conducted confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses of the SCSRFQ, as well as an Item Response Theory analysis. Results The SCSRFQ was moderately to highly positively correlated with all measures of religiousness/spirituality. Relations with mental health were weak and differed across samples. Ethnic minorities scored higher than White participants on the SCSRFQ, but only in Study 2. Factor analyses showed that a single-factor model fit the SCSRFQ best. According to Item Response Theory analysis, SCSRFQ items discriminated well between participants with low-to-moderate levels of the construct but provided little information at higher levels. Conclusion Although the SCSRFQ scores had adequate psychometric characteristics, the measure’s usefulness may be limited in samples of older adults.