The International Forum for Logotherapy, 1996, 19, 122-126.

RECENT PUBLICATIONS OF INTEREST

TO LOGOTHERAPISTS

Barnes, R. [Hardin-Simmons U., Box 15211, Abilene, Texas 79698-5211 USA] (1993). Finding meaning in unavoidable suffering. Journal des Viktor-Frankl-Instituts, 1(2), 14-21.

--Provides examples, case histories, and personal experiences of tragic optimism and finding meaning in unavoidable suffering.

Debats, D. [Dept. of Clinical Psychology, Academic Hospital, U. of Groningen, Oostersingel 59, 9713 EZ Groningen, The Netherlands], Van der Lubbe, P., & Wezeman, F. (1993). On the psychometric properties of the Life Regard Index (LRI): A measure of meaningful life. Personality of Individual Differences, 14, 337-345.

--The Life Regard Index (LRI) measures the degree of experienced meaningfulness of one's life along two dimensions: framework and fulfillment. The paper reviews prior studies supporting the LRI, then it provides additional empirical data demonstrating reliability and validity in three samples with the Dutch version of the LRI.

DuBois, J. (1993). Eclecticism, evidence and logotherapy: A study on the foundations of human psychology with special reference to the contributions of Viktor Frankl. Journal des Viktor-Frankl-Instituts, 1(2), 56-75.

--Starting with the assumption that "no psychological model to date offers a wholly adequate account of human being and behavior, but that each major model has something to offer," this paper presents an argument that an eclectic theoretical perspective needs to be based upon a psychological metatheory. In order to include the wealth of relevant data, the metatheory should be inclusive, not biased against, various methods of science. The author argues that logotherapy's philosophy of the human being provides a useful foundation for the metatheory.

Goldman, J., & Harlow, L. [Psychology Dept., U. of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island 02881 USA]. (1993). Self-perception variables that mediate AIDS-preventive behavior in college students. Health Psychology, 12, 489-498.

--Showed that self-efficacy, control and meaning (via revised PIL and Life Regard Index), and perceived risk play a role in mediating AIDS-preventive behavior.

Guttman, D., & Cohen, B. (1993). Excessive behaviors and meaning-in-life among the active elderly in Israel. Journal des Viktor-Frankl-Instituts, 1(2), 38-55.

--With 148 active elderly in Israel, purpose in life (via shortened PIL) showed positive correlation with a score based on admission of use of over the counter medications, alcohol, cigarettes, card playing, and lottery tickets. However, these potentially excessive behaviors were less prevalent in the sample than expected. Purpose in life tended to be higher for those with better current health and higher prior socioeconomic status. Purpose in life tended to be higher for persons who were infrequently lonely, who had undergone fewer lifestyle changes, and who were secular rather than traditional or religious.

Klingberg, H., Jr. [2001 Sherman Avenue, #401, Evanston, Illinois 60201-3264 USA] (1993). Logotherapy then and whenever: A personal reflection. Journal des Viktor-Frankl-Instituts, 1(1), 118-124.

--Gives the author's personal reflections on his experiences with Frankl and logotherapy (30 years after studying with Frankl, and recently becoming a Professor of Psychology). Includes comments about logotherapy in the classroom and in the current psychotherapeutic culture.

Lantz, J. [The Ohio State U. College of Social Work, 1947 College Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210 USA] (1993). Art, logotherapy, and the unconscious God. Journal of Religion and Health, 32, 179-187.

--Outlines use of art in logotherapy to help clients uncover, discover, and make use of meaning potentials.

Lantz, J. [The Ohio State U. College of Social Work, 1947 College Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210 USA] (1993). Existential reflection and the unconscious ought. Voices, 29 , 50-55.

--Discussion and examples of focus upon the "ought" level of human existence as a way to find and strengthen the self.

McShane, F. [Psychology Dept., U. of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 0W0 Canada], & Noonan, B. (1993). Classification of shoplifters by cluster analysis . International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 37, 29-40.

--Cluster analysis of data from 75 suspected shoplifters demonstrated a heterogeneous population consisting of at least four subgroups. All subgroups tended to have low PIL and SONG scores. The authors suggest "any successful treatment of shoplifters should include guidance in exploring new values that can fulfill their identity needs within our existing social milieu, and a new perception of the relationship of their life experiences and this meaning."

Overholser, J. [Dept. of Psychology, Case Western Reserve U., Cleveland, Ohio 44106 USA] (1993). Elements of the Socratic method: I. Systematic questioning. Psychotherapy, 30, 67-74.

--This paper initiates a thorough discussion of the basic components of Socratic method. The focus is on the most widely-used component, Systematic Questioning. Discusses how three distinct elements of Systematic Questioning can be skillfully intermixed to facilitate independent thinking.

Overholser, J. [Dept. of Psychology, Case Western Reserve U. Cleveland, Ohio 44106 USA] (1993). Elements of the Socratic method: II. Inductive reasoning. Psychotherapy, 30, 75-85.

--Continues the deep discussion of basic components of Socratic method. The focus of this paper is the Inductive Reasoning component. Three types of Inductive Reasoning are described, along with clinical utility for each, and limitations of each.

Pacciolla, A. [Via Sforza Pallavicini 10, I-00193 Roma, Italia] (1993). The unconscious in religiosity, spirituality, and morality. Journal des Viktor-Frankl-Instituts, 1(2), 89-96.

--Discusses unconscious spirituality, religiosity, and morality; how they are revealed; and misunderstandings of them.

Pintos, C. [Virrey de Pino 2878, Iro. "A", 1426 Buenos Aires, Argentina] (1993). What is behind depression among the elderly? Logotherapy and the treatment of geriatric depression. Journal des Viktor-Frankl-Instituts, 1(2), 27-37.

--Encourages consideration of exogenous-noogenous depression when diagnosing depression in the elderly. Recommended treatments include a logotherapeutic approach to Reminiscence and the Appeal Technique--a case example of the use of these treatments is provided.

Punzi, I. (1993). AIDS--A challenge to logotherapy. Journal des Viktor-Frankl-Instituts, 1 (2), 7-13.

--Offers comments and vignettes from a logotherapy-oriented home for AIDS patients in Rome.

Rappaport, H. [Dept. of Psychology, Temple U., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122 USA], Fossler, R., Bross, L., & Gilden, D. (1993). Future time, death anxiety, and life purpose among older adults. Death Studies, 17, 369-379.

--58 retirement community residents completed the PIL, Death Anxiety Scale, and Rappaport Time Line. The PIL was significantly negatively correlated with death anxiety; and significantly positively correlated with the number of years into the future a person predicts to actualize specific important experiences. In discussing the psychotherapeutic implications of the results, the authors suggest "the task of psychotherapy could be threefold: 1) to support the individual in finding or achieving meaning in his or her personal existence, 2) to demonstrate to the individual the wisdom in taking a stand regarding the unchangeable situations in life (death, loss, aging), and finally, 3) to assist the individual in establishing ways to live in the present while planning a future throughout his or her existence."

Shek, D. [Dept. of Social Work, The Chinese U. of Hong Kong, Hong Kong], (1993). Coping responses of Chinese parents with preschool mentally-handicapped children. Social Behavior and Personality, 21, 303-312.

Starck, P. [1100 Holcombe Boulevard, Suite 5.500, Houston, Texas 77030 USA] (1993). Logotherapy: Application to nursing. Journal des Viktor-Frankl-Instituts, 1(1), 94-98.

--Discusses the inclusion of logotherapy to enhance the four step process of giving nursing care. The four step process taught in the US includes: assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating.

Taylor, S., & Ebersole, P. [Dept. of Psychology, California State U., Fullerton, California 92634-9480 USA] (1993). Young children's meaning in life. Psychological Reports, 73, 1099-1104.

--Assessed 26 first grade children for presence of personal meaning in their lives by asking "tell me what you think is most important in your life." Twenty-four were able to give answers. The investigators categorized the responses into the following categories: Relationships (42%), Activities (21%), Beliefs (8%), Growth (8%), Obtaining (8%), School (4%), Health (4%), miscellaneous (4%).

Tlocznski, J. [Psychology Dept., Bloomsburg U., Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania 17815 USA] (1993). Is the self essential? Handling reductionism. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 76 , 723-732.

--Presents argument against viewing the self from specific reductionistic perspectives (including consciousness as reductionism). Suggests that our essential self is spiritual, and notes how Frankl has proposed that the essence of human existence is spirituality. The article concludes with a short discussion about how we might proceed to study self.

Williams, G. [VA Medical Center, Miami, Florida USA] (1993). Vocational rehabilitation: An application of logotherapy in rehabilitation. Spinal Cord Injury Psychosocial Process, 6, 160-161.

--An interview with Martha Stavros about Frankl and logotherapy.