A secure base for mindful dreaming: dispositional and contextually variable attachment security and the experiential quality of dreams.

In this study, we examined the utility of attachment theory for explaining individual differences in dream experiences. Seventy-six Israeli undergraduates completed a measure of attachment anxiety and avoidance and participated in a daily diary study for 15 consecutive days. Each evening, they rated their daily sense of attachment security. Each morning, they described in writing any dreams they recalled and rated the extent to which they (a) were aware of their sensations and mental states while dreaming and (b) reflected on their subjective experience during the dream. Two judges made similar ratings for each dream. Dispositional attachment anxiety and avoidance were associated with lower levels of within-dream awareness and reflection across the 15-day period. In addition, attachment security on a given day was associated with higher within-dream awareness and reflection that night. The findings provide new evidence concerning the contribution of attachment orientations to the experiential quality of dreams.

A Longitudinal Study of Spirituality, Character Strengths, Subjective Well-Being, and Prosociality in Middle School Adolescents.

Using data from 1,352 middle-school Israeli adolescents, the current study examines the interface of spirituality and character strengths and its longitudinal contribution to subjective well-being and prosociality. Participants were approached three times over a 14-months period and completed measures of character strengths, spirituality, subjective well-being (positive emotions, life satisfaction), and prosociality. Findings revealed a fourth-factor structure of character strengths that included the typical tripartite classification of intrapersonal, interpersonal, and intellectual strengths together with spirituality emerging as a statistically autonomous factor. Spirituality was stable over time and contributed to higher subjective well-being and prosociality both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Discussion focuses on spirituality as a fundamental character strength and an important aspect of positive development.

Reexamining the Mental Pain-Suicidality Link in Adolescence: The Role of Tolerance for Mental Pain.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we reexamine the mental pain-suicidality link in adolescence, by focusing on mental pain tolerance as a critical factor in explaining youth suicidal behavior. METHOD: In a series of three studies, participants completed measures of mental pain (tolerance and intensity), emotional regulation, depression, and suicidality. Study 1 included a nonclinical sample of 183 Israeli adolescents. Study 2 included a nonclinical sample of 139 Israeli adolescents, who completed additional measures of self-esteem, optimism, mindfulness, meaning in life, positive affectivity, and life satisfaction. Study 3 included suicidal psychiatric inpatients (N = 24), nonsuicidal psychiatric inpatients (N = 24), and nonclinical adolescents (N = 24). RESULTS: In Study 1, mental pain tolerance was significantly associated with depression, suicidality, and emotion-regulation skills. In Study 2, mental pain tolerance was significantly associated with measures of psychological resources. In Study 3, we found that suicidal psychiatric inpatients reported significantly lower levels of mental pain tolerance than nonsuicidal psychiatric inpatients and nonclinical adolescents. No significant group difference was found in the reported intensity of mental pain. CONCLUSIONS: Findings imply that mental pain tolerance may be a better indicator for suicidal behavior during adolescence than reported pain intensity.

Pet in the therapy room: an attachment perspective on Animal-Assisted Therapy.

John Bowlby's ( 1973, 1980, 1982) attachment theory is one of the most influential theories in personality and developmental psychology and provides insights into adjustment and psychopathology across the lifespan. The theory is also helpful in defining the target of change in psychotherapy, understanding the processes by which change occurs, and conceptualizing cases and planning treatment (Daniel, 2006; Obegi & Berant, 2008; Sable, 2004 ; Wallin, 2007). Here, we propose a model of Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) based on attachment theory and on the unique characteristics of human-pet relationships. The model includes clients' unmet attachment needs, individual differences in attachment insecurity, coping, and responsiveness to therapy. It also suggests ways to foster the development of more adaptive patterns of attachment and healthier modes of relating to others.

Pathways to distress: the multiple determinants of depression, hopelessness, and the desire for hastened death in metastatic cancer patients.

We tested a model in which psychosocial and disease-related variables act as multiple protective and risk factors for psychological distress in patients with metastatic cancer. We hypothesized that depression and hopelessness constitute common pathways of distress, which mediate the effects of psychosocial and disease-related factors on the desire for hastened death. This model was tested on a cross-sectional sample of 406 patients with metastatic gastrointestinal or lung cancer recruited at outpatient clinics of a Toronto cancer hospital, using structural equation modeling. The results supported the model. High disease burden, insecure attachment, low self-esteem, and younger age were risk factors for depression. Low spiritual well-being was a risk factor for hopelessness. Depression and hopelessness were found to be mutually reinforcing, but distinct constructs. Both depression and hopelessness independently predicted the desire for hastened death, and mediated the effects of psychosocial and disease-related variables on this outcome. The identified risk factors support a holistic approach to palliative care in patients with metastatic cancer, which attends to physical, psychological, and spiritual factors to prevent and treat distress in patients with advanced disease.