The International Forum for Logotherapy, 2008, 31, 59-64.

RECENT PUBLICATIONS OF INTEREST

TO LOGOTHERAPISTS

Stephanie Wood, Amanda M. A. Melton, & Tara K. Luchkiw

Laungani, P. [retired; pillarsofsociety@aol.com]. (2003). Therapeutic strategies for coping with a life-threatening illness: A personal testament. Illness, Crisis, & Loss, 11, 162-182.

-- A personal account is given of one man’s diagnosis of and coping with a rare illness, polymyositis. The author set an initial goal of being able to stand without aid, which gave him reason to persevere. Eventually, he was able to return to work. As he achieved these goals, the author formulated rules for living, which included focusing on what a person can do rather than on what one would like to do or what one cannot do; recognizing and learning to accept that pain is an aspect of the human condition; finding an activity about which one can become passionate; training oneself to identify the humor in every situation; avoiding worry about external events that are beyond one’s control; creating room for hope; and coming to terms with one’s mortality.

Marsh, A. [School of Psychology, Curtin University of Technology, GPO Box U1987, Perth 6845, Australia; a.marsh@curtin.edu.au], Smith, L., Piek, J., & Saunders, B. (2003). The Purpose in Life scale: Psychometric properties for social drinkers and drinkers in alcohol treatment. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 63, 859-871.

-- The Purpose in Life test (PIL), the Severity of Alcohol Dependence Data scale (SADD), and Part 2 of the Impaired Control Scale (ICS) were administered to 357 social drinkers and 137 treatment drinkers to measure meaning in life, alcohol dependence, and impaired control, respectively.  Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the 20-item PIL could not be adequately fit to a one-dimensional model; however, after omitting three items with low factor loadings (items 7, 14, and 15), the remaining 17-item PIL was adequately fit to a one-dimensional model for both social and treatment drinkers. As hypothesized, social drinkers had higher meaning in life and lower alcohol dependence and impaired control than treatment drinkers. In both groups of drinkers, meaning in life was negatively correlated with both alcohol dependence and impaired control (which were positively correlated with each other). 

Murphy, S. A. [University of Washington, Box 357263, Seattle, WA 98195-7263, USA; samurphy@u.washington.edu], Johnson, L. C., & Lohan, J. (2003). Finding meaning in a child’s violent death: A five-year prospective analysis of parents’ personal narratives and empirical data. Death Studies, 27, 381-404.

-- Personal narratives and empirical data from 138 parents were obtained 4, 12, 24, and 60 months after an adolescent’s or young adult child’s death by accident, suicide, or homicide. Twelve months after the child’s death, 12% of parents had found meaning in the death. Sixty months after the child’s death, 57% of the parents had found meaning in the death, but 43% had not. Statistically significant differences were observed on three outcome variables: mental distress, marital satisfaction, and physical health status. With regard to these three outcome variables, parents who reported finding meaning fared better than those who did not find meaning. Two statistically significant influential factors were found regarding whether parents found meaning or not: use of religious coping and bereavement support group attendance. The authors interpret the findings from this study to support the premise that the need to search for and find meaning in a devastating life event is highly important.

Nair, K. S. [KP Sivaraman Nair, DP&NR, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Hosur Road, Bangalore 560 029, India; kpsnair@hotmail.com]. (2003). Life goals: The concept and its relevance to rehabilitation. Clinical Rehabilitation, 17, 192-202.

-- A literature review on life goals (defined as desired states that people seek to obtain, maintain, or avoid) and their influence on rehabilitation was conducted. Several major themes emerged from the 39 references that were included in the review. The first theme was the nature of life goals, which are influenced by many factors, such as age (goals typically change from young adulthood to late life), sex (women tend to be family-oriented, whereas men tend to be economic/occupation-oriented), personality, and past experience. The next two themes involved how life goals are affected by health and illness. First, having life goals is related to physical and psychological well-being, whereas the absence of goals can contribute to meaninglessness. Second, illness and disability contribute to emotional distress largely because they interfere with the pursuit of life goals. The next theme focused on the role of life goals in rehabilitation. Patients continue to set autonomous goals and frequently state that life is unconditionally worth living. The final theme described methods of assessing life goals (e.g., goal identification, goal commitment). 

Öhlen, J. [The Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Sweden; joakim.ohlen@fhs.gu.se]. (2003). Evocation of meaning through poetic condensation of narratives in empirical phenomenological inquiry into human suffering. Qualitative Health Research, 13, 557-566.

-- A model for poetic condensation of oral narratives was presented to provide a means to enhance the evocation of the meaning in suffering. The importance of evocation is to bring memories of experiences vividly into the present so they can be reflected upon. By condensing an individual’s narrative into poetic stanzas, meaning can be intensified and explored.

Orbach, I. [Department of Psychology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, 52900, Israel; orbachi@mail.biu.ac.il], Mikulincer, M., Gilboa-Schechtman, E., & Sirota, P. (2003). Mental pain and its relationship to suicidality and life meaning. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 33, 231-241.

-- Two studies were conducted to examine the relationship between mental pain and suicidality (Study 1) and mental pain and meaning in life (Study 2). In study 1, suicidal inpatients (n = 32), non-suicidal inpatients (n = 29), and non-psychiatric control participants (n = 30) were administered the Orbach and Mikulincer Mental Pain Scale (OMMP), the Multi-Attitude Suicidal Tendencies Scale (MAST), the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), the Cognitions Checklist (CCL), and the Emotional Expressiveness Scale (EES). Results indicated that suicidal inpatients could be distinguished from the other groups in several ways; however, when hopelessness, depression, and anxiety were statistically controlled, the only factor that distinguished suicidal inpatients from the other two groups was emptiness. Study 2 (N = 98) examined the relationships among mental pain (OMMP), optimism (Life Orientation Test; LOT-R), and meaning in life (Life Regard Index; LRI). Results suggested that optimism and meaning in life mitigate mental pain.  Data from both studies were interpreted to mean that emptiness, lack of meaning, and loss of future-mindedness may be involved in suicide attempts. 

Parry, C. [Division of Health Care Policy & Research, 13611 E. Colfax Ave., Suite 100, Aurora, Colorado 80045-5701, USA; carla.parry@uchsc.edu]. (2003). Embracing uncertainty: An exploration of the experiences of childhood cancer survivors. Qualitative Health Research, 13, 227-246.

-- Twenty-three long-term survivors of cancer were interviewed regarding their experiences with childhood cancer and its effects on the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual domains of life. Uncertainty relating to participants’ experiences with cancer emerged as a theme with most of those interviewed. The author viewed uncertainty as a potentially positive or negative variable that may be both a source of distress and/or a means for growth. Most participants stated that although they were uncertain about their current remissive status, this alone did not serve as a source of distress, but rather gave meaning to the temporary nature of human existence and fostered a sense of gratitude to be alive. As long-term survivors became older and time in remission increased, uncertainty about cancer shifted to specific circumstances, such as infertility or their children developing cancer. Most stated that they dealt with uncertainties by remaining focused on the present and on the positive, or by giving control over uncertainties to a higher power. Almost all of the participants reported that cancer caused them to value life more deeply, develop more appreciation and gratitude, and to live for the present. Finally, many participants found a sense of certainty in the fact that they had survived such an uncertain situation. Some described a deeper sense of purpose, citing that there must be a reason they survived, such as contributing to the profession that had helped to save them or striving to reach their life goals.

Reker, G. T. [Department of Psychology, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, K9J 7B8; greker@trentu.ca], & Fry, P. S. (2003). Factor structure and invariance of personal meaning measures in cohorts of younger and older adults. Personality and Individual Differences, 35, 977-993.

-- Cohorts of younger (n = 163; mean age = 21.2 years) and older (n = 144; mean age = 70.6 years) adults were administered the Purpose in Life test (PIL), the Life Regard Index (LRI), the Self Transcendence Scale (STS), the Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC), the Life Purpose Questionnaire (LPQ), and the Personal Meaning Index (PMI) with the goal of using confirmatory factor analysis to establish the best fitting model for the combined personal meaning measures. The authors hypothesized that personal meaning scores are best represented by a hierarchical factor structure with first-order factors (the meaning measures) and a second-order factor (general existential meaning) in both age cohorts. Though invariant first-order factor loadings between age groups were confirmed, invariant second-order factor loadings and error variances across age groups could not be established (i.e., personal meaning may be interpreted differently by people of different ages). However, this hierarchical model was a good fit to the data for both age groups, attesting to the construct validity of the measures used in this study as a set of general meaning measures. 

Schulenberg, S. E. [Department of Psychology, The University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi 38677, USA; sschulen@olemiss.edu]. (2003). Empirical research and logotherapy. Psychological Reports, 93, 307-319.

-- The importance of conducting systematic and rigorous research within the logotherapy paradigm is discussed, along with possible explanations as to factors that complicate the empirical study of meaning. Recent logotherapeutic empirical literature is summarized, including such areas as gratitude, measures of meaning, and personal projects. Directions for research are also offered, including such areas as natural disasters and armed conflict, outcome studies of logotherapy in isolation and in conjunction with other treatment modalities, psychometric studies of logotherapeutic assessment tools, longitudinal studies, and cross-cultural research.

Schulenberg, S. E. [Department of Psychology, The University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi 38677, USA; sschulen@olemiss.edu]. (2003). Psychotherapy and movies: On using films in clinical practice. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 33, 35-48.

-- The author discusses the utility of using movies as an adjunct to many types of therapies, offering insights as to how they might be useful in clinical practice (e.g., as metaphors that foster therapeutic insight or methods of observational learning). Several published case studies, in addition to descriptions of cases from the author’s clinical experiences, are described.  The author also discusses two specific logotherapeutic movie exercises that involve clients creating movies about themselves. The first exercise focuses on the past, including the present time, while the second exercise focuses on the future. Clients choose the budget, genre, title, and actors, as well as the plot of the storyline, with the goal of highlighting areas of meaning in their lives, either experienced or desired. Finally, cautions of using movies in clinical practice are also provided (e.g., exclusion criteria, informed consent, debriefing), as are directions for research (e.g., clinical outcome studies). 

Schulenberg, S. E. [Department of Psychology, The University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi 38677, USA; sschulen@olemiss.edu]. (2003). Use of logotherapy’s Mountain Range Exercise with male adolescents with mental retardation/developmental disabilities and sexual behavior problems. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 33, 219-234.

-- The usefulness of logotherapeutic principles in the treatment of adolescents with mental retardation/developmental disabilities and sexual behavior problems (MR/DD/SB) is discussed. A rationale for using logotherapy’s Mountain Range Exercise (MRE) with youths with MR/DD/SB in a group therapy setting is also provided, and the use of the MRE with a group of nine such youths (ages 13-19) is described. The exercise was successful in facilitating the discussion of issues central to treatment. Future research directions noted include the need for validation of innovative techniques like the MRE with youths with MR/DD/SB.

Thompson, N. J. [Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA; nthomps@sph.emory.edu], Coker, J., Krause, J. S., & Henry, E. (2003). Purpose in life as a mediator of adjustment after spinal cord injury. Rehabilitation Psychology, 48, 100-108.

-- This article investigated whether purpose in life mediates the relationship between adjustment after an injury and other factors: aspects of personality (such as anxiety, thrill-seeking, degree of sociability, and aggression), locus of control (whether people attribute the cause of events to themselves or to some outside factor such as the situation), and the degree to which a disabled person can still function. A sample of participants (N = 1391, 80% male) completed a series of questionnaires, including the Ladder of Adjustment to assess participants’ own perceptions of how well they had adjusted to their injury, the Purpose in Life test, the Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire (measures personality on five scales: Impulsive Sensation Seeking, Neuroticism-Anxiety, Aggression-Hostility, Activity, and Sociability), and the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale. Internal locus of control, activity, and sociability were positively related to purpose in life, whereas Neuroticism-Anxiety and Aggression-Hostility were negatively related to purpose in life. Severity of injury was not significantly related to how well patients adjusted or to the life-meaning that they experienced. Results from this study also suggest that purpose in life is an important variable in terms of individual adjustment to a spinal cord injury.

Whitty, M. T. [University of Western Sydney, School of Applied Social and Human Sciences, Werrington North Campus, Locked Bag 1797, DC Penrith South 1797, NSW Australia; m.whitty@uws.edu.au]. (2003). Coping and defending: Age differences in maturity of defence mechanisms and coping strategies. Aging & Mental Health, 7, 123-132.

-- The Defence Style Questionnaire, the Ways of Coping Questionnaire, the Daily Hassles Questionnaire, Rotter’s Locus of Control inventory, the Purpose in Life test and the Self-Esteem Scale were administered to 120 participants (50% male) in three age groups (17-25, n = 40; 40-47, n = 40; 63-70, n = 40) to determine if there were differences in coping strategies and defense mechanisms used across ages. Results suggested that a greater sense of meaning and purpose in life appears to be associated with the use of mature defense mechanisms and ways of coping (defined as using emotion-focused coping strategies when the situation has low changeability and using problem-focused coping methods when the situation has high changeability).

Xuereb, M. C. [42 Grose Road, Faulconbridge, NSW 2776, Australia; carmenx@ozemail.com.au], & Dunlop, R. (2003). The experience of leukaemia and bone marrow transplant: Searching for meaning and agency. Psycho-Oncology, 12, 397-409.

-- Ten patients diagnosed with leukemia or lymphoma and who had completed a bone marrow transplant were interviewed regarding their experiences with their condition in terms of diagnosis, treatment, and impact on their lives and values. The bone marrow transplant often gave participants a sense of purpose. The authors drew two primary conclusions from their results: (a) the meaning participants assign to leukemia is closely related to what they value at the time of diagnosis, and (b) the way participants dealt with the medical condition was similar to how they tended to deal with other challenges in life.

STEPHANIE WOOD [sswood@olemiss.edu], AMANDA M. A. MELTON [amadamso@olemiss.edu], and TARA K. LUCHKIW [tkluchki@olemiss.edu] are graduate students in the Clinical Psychology Training Program in the Department of Psychology at The University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi 38677, USA. The authors would like to acknowledge Stefan E. Schulenberg, Ph.D., for editing this article.