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The present study tested the theoretical formulation based on Bowenian theory and Volfian theology that differentiation of self (DoS) serves as a mediator variable by which dispositional forgiveness is associated with indices of spiritual and mental health. Data were collected in a sample (N = 213) of graduate students (mean age = 34.46 years) at a Protestant-affiliated university. Results supported the hypotheses with DoS mediating the relationship between dispositional forgiveness and (a) spiritual instability, (b) mental health symptoms, and (c) psychological well-being. Implications are considered for future research on forgiveness, DoS, and spirituality, as well as clinical interventions related to self-regulation and trauma symptoms.

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The Differentiation of Self Inventory—Revised (DSI-R; Skowron & Schmitt, 2003, “Assessing interpersonal fusion: Reliability and validity of a new DSI fusion with others subscale,” Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 29, 209–222) assesses a central construct of Murray Bowen's Family Systems Theory. Differentiation of self (DoS) consists of both intra- and interpersonal dimensions, or the capacities for affect regulation and negotiating relational separateness and togetherness. In this study we examined the internal and external structure of the DSI-R with a sample of 749 university students. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a three-factor, first-order solution and offered evidence for a two-dimensional higher-order structure of DoS. The three factors exhibited acceptable reliability and demonstrated theoretically consistent associations with parentification and mental health symptoms. The results confirm the use of the DSI-R as a psychometrically sound measure of DoS. Implications for future research and clinical practice are addressed.

Prior research has demonstrated positive associations between general humility and well-being, and posited a protective effect for intellectual humility against maladjustment among religious leaders. We tested a model that extended findings on general humility to include intellectual humility among religious leaders (N = 258; M age = 42.31; 43% female; 63.7% White; 91.9% Christian affiliation). We observed a positive general humility-well-being association. Contrary to expectations, we observed risk effects for religion-specific intellectual humility. Our findings also point to the possibility that these risk effects might be attenuated by the integration of high levels of general and intellectual humility.

Objective Employing practice‐based research methods, we addressed the need to examine the effectiveness of psychodynamic treatment as a supplement to the efficacy evidence offered by randomized clinical trials. Method We used person‐centered analyses to generate latent subgroups of clients (N = 118; M age = 40.92; 53.4% female; 81.4% Caucasian; 80.5% heterosexual) receiving contemporary relational psychotherapy (CRP) at a psychodynamic community mental health training clinic. Results Subgroups of clients reported a change in depression, social conflict, and anxiety symptomatology, and overall life satisfaction, depicted by significant quadratic growth curves. Findings also offered exploratory support for a theoretical proposition from CRP that improved relational functioning would correspond to improved affect dysregulation and overall life satisfaction. Conclusion Clinical and training implications highlight the need to distinguish subgroups of “responders” and “nonresponders” to inform treatment.

Existing research indicates that parentification can result in positive and negative outcomes for individuals; however, little is known about the mechanisms that account for the variability. This study tested a theoretical model of the relation between parentification tasks and mental health symptoms, with perceived unfairness and differentiation of self (DoS) as mediators. The results supported the proposed model in a sample of 783 college students. A significant total indirect effect existed between the latent construct of parentification and that of mental health symptoms. Significant specific indirect effects were observed between parentification and mental health symptoms with perceived unfairness as a mediator; between parentification and DoS with perceived unfairness as a mediator and between perceived unfairness and mental health symptoms mediated by DoS. Implications for clinical work with adult clients who have experienced parentification in their family of origin are addressed.

The present study tested a theoretical model of the relationship between meditative prayer and interpersonal forgiveness with hope and adult attachment as mediator variables. Results supported the proposed multiple mediation model as determined by multiple measures of model fit with the data. Significant direct effects were observed between meditative prayer and hope, hope and adult attachment, and adult attachment and forgiveness. A significant total indirect effect was found between meditative prayer and forgiveness. A significant specific indirect effect was also observed between meditative prayer and adult attachment with hope as the mediator, and between hope and forgiveness with adult attachment as a mediator. The concept of affect regulation is proposed as a possible unifying mechanism of the variables in the proposed model and implications are discussed in terms of existing literature and promoting interpersonal forgiveness in counseling.