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This study investigated hypotheses relating personality, leisure activity participation, and conflict resolution for dating, engaged and married couples (N = 51) to relationship satisfaction. The relationships of each couple' s personality traits (Neuroticism, Extraverson, Openness to Experience, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness), hours of participation in leisure activities together, average preference rating for activities done together, and conflict resolution styles (Positive Problem Solving, Conflict Engagement, Withdrawal, Compliance) were examined. Closer similarities in Neuroticism and Openness to Experience correlated with higher relationship satisfaction. Closer similarities in Conscientiousness predicted higher relationship satisfaction. Less similarities in Agreeableness predicted higher relationship satisfaction. Higher hours of participation in activities participated in-together predicted lower relationship satisfaction. Higher use of Positive Problem Solving and less use of Withdrawal correlated with higher relationship satisfaction. Less use of Compliance predicted higher satisfaction. Closer similarity in use of Compliance predicted higher relationship satisfaction. Less similarities in Agreeableness, less hours in activities together and less use of Compliance differentiated between highly satisfied and less satisfied couples. The results support both similarity and complementary research.

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There are contrasting views from Freudian, humanistic, and feminist theorists regarding whether therapist self-disclosure (TSD) affects the relationship between the therapeutic alliance (TA) and dropout of substance abuse treatment by males. However, there is a paucity of research regarding these topics yet therapists need clear empirical support for the use of TSD in enhancing the TA such that dropout can be averted. This study investigated whether or not TSD moderated the relationship between perceived TA and dropout expectancy. The research participants were 132 men attending residential substance abuse treatment. Four groups of men were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 experimental conditions. One of 2 statements was read to the participants that described the TA as weak or strong. After reading 1 of these statements, participants watched 1 of 2 DVDs (7 minutes each). The DVDs depicted 2 males role-playing an intake session. One DVD included TSD and the TSD was edited out of the other DVD. After watching the DVD, participants responded to the question of whether or not they would continue treatment with the depicted therapist. Results from hierarchical logistic regression indicated that weak TA was a good predictor of dropout expectancy. TSD did not significantly affect research participants' opinions regarding whether or not they would continue treatment with the depicted therapist. Therefore, results from the present study do not support views that TSD should be used or avoided. This study can contribute to positive social change by reinforcing an important process (building a strong therapeutic alliance) that contributes to treatment completion. People who complete substance abuse treatment are more likely to manage or abstain from their addictions and to become fully functioning and positively contributing members of society than those that dropout.

While clergy are at the forefront of providing mental health counseling services, many lack confidence in their ability to provide adequate care for those suffering mental health issues and many, across denominations, question the validity and reliability of mental health counseling and are reluctant to make referrals to professional counselors. There remains a gap in the current research literature regarding the views of Southern Baptist pastors. Using conflict theory as the framework for this study, the purpose of this exploratory quantitative study was to determine how 225 Southern Baptist pastors' conservative views, church size, and educational level (the independent variables) impacted their attitude towards counseling (the dependent variable). Data were collected using the Religious Attitude Scale and the Attitude Toward Seeking Professional Help Scale. A three-way ANOVA was performed to measure interaction effects among the independent variables. The results of this research indicated that a pastor's level of education and conservative views, but not church size, had an impact on attitudes about counseling. While future research could better inform the kinds of education that influence counseling referrals from pastors, this research supports the idea that more educated pastors are more likely to use diverse resources for addressing congregants' issues of mental wellness. The results of this research can influence social change because Christians needing mental health counseling often go to their pastor for help. Providing further education to pastors about the benefits of professional counseling will result in improved mental health for those congregants and their families.

Religion plays an important role in many cultures. Prior studies have demonstrated that religious involvement is associated with greater psychological well-being for college students. Prior research suggests that religiously involved college students have lower levels of depression, stress, and anxiety, as well as higher academic performance. The primary purpose of this study was to examine potential direct and indirect effects of religious involvement on depression and academic performance of graduate students in education, by testing models involving stress and depression as potential mediators. Multiple regression statistical analyses examined relationships between the level of religious involvement and the psychological status of graduate students using responses to the Belief into Action Scale (BIAC; Koenig et al., 2015; a measure of religious involvement), the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21; Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995) and a demographic survey. Hypothesized pathways linking religious involvement with depression and academic achievement were not supported. Based on the regression results, there was insufficient evidence to suggest religious involvement had direct or indirect effects on depression (through stress) or on academic performance (through stress and/or depression). Neither stress nor depression were found to be indirect pathways through which religious involvement might impact depression or academic achievement. While not the main focus of the study, the study did find a positive and statistically significant relationship between stress and depression. Based on independent-samples t-tests, females were found to report being more religiously involved than males, on average, whereas males reported being more depressed than females, on average. Gender was associated with religious affiliation, based on a chi-squared test of association. In contrast to nearly half (49%) of the males indicating they were unaffiliated, just 21% of the females reported not having a religious affiliation. However, no gender differences were found in regard to stress, anxiety, nor graduate academic performance (GPA). Limitations of the study and suggestions for further research are offered in light of there being insufficient evidence to support the hypothesized mediational models. Still, the findings do suggest some recommendations for practice. In particular, the study found that male graduate students, as compared with females, in the field of education experience higher levels of depression. This finding has implications for college counseling centers and faculty in schools of education who work with male graduate students. Faculty should be made aware of this difference, watch for signs of depressive symptoms, and know appropriate procedures for encouraging graduate students in education to avail themselves of resources provided on campus not only for undergraduates, but for graduate students, as well.