Pilot Study of Psychopathology Among Roman Catholic Secular Clergy

Authors

Sarah Knox, Marquette UniversityFollow
Stephen G. Virginia, Tribunal of the Diocese of Columbus, OhioFollow
Jacquelyn Smith, Marquette University

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Format of Original

10 p.

Publication Date

1-2007

Publisher

Springer

Source Publication

Pastoral Psychology

Source ISSN

0031-2789

Abstract

This pilot study gathered information regarding overall levels of psychopathology in a nationally selected, random sample of U.S. Roman Catholic secular (i.e., diocesan) priests using the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R; Derogatis, 2004). The study yielded a response rate of 45%. One-half of the participants reported marked psychological problems, with interpersonal sensitivity, anxiety, and depression most strongly correlated with the instrument’s overall index of psychopathology. Four dimensional scales were elevated (i.e., obsessive-compulsive, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, psychoticism), as were two indices (i.e., GSI, PST). Implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Comments

Accepted version. Pastoral Psychology, Vol. 55, No. 3 (January 2007): 297- 306. DOI. © 2007 Springer. Used with permission.

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Recommended Citation

Knox, Sarah; Virginia, Stephen G.; and Smith, Jacquelyn, "Pilot Study of Psychopathology Among Roman Catholic Secular Clergy" (2007). College of Education Faculty Research and Publications. 33.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/edu_fac/33