Research References (Selected)
When Faith Falters: Psychology, Scripture and the Path to Flourishing
Nervous System, Protection & Trauma
Banik, S., & Bell, S. (2022). Neurobiological mechanisms of stress and trauma: Implications for clinical practice. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 18, 293–320. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-081219-115224
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Herman, J. L. (2020). Trauma and recovery: The aftermath of violence — from domestic abuse to political terror (Revised ed.). Basic Books.Note: Updated edition with new clinical framing.
Therapeutic Relationship & Change
Flückiger, C., Del Re, A. C., Wampold, B. E., & Horvath, A. O. (2021). The alliance in adult psychotherapy: A meta-analytic synthesis. Psychotherapy, 58(2), 174–186. https://doi.org/10.1037/pst0000367
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Norcross, J. C., & Wampold, B. E. (2023). Relationship and responsiveness: The foundation of effective psychotherapy. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 79(3), 414–431. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.23330
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Non-Linear Change & Meaning-Based Healing
Hayes, S. C., & Hofmann, S. G. (2022). The blooming of contextual therapies: Past, present, and future. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 24, 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2022.01.001
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Lilienfeld, S. O., & Stephenson, G. M. (2021). Evidence-based therapy and non-linear change processes: Reconciling complexity with clinical practice. Clinical Psychology Review, 90, Article 102097. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2021.102097
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Rolvsjord, R. (2021). Non-linear therapeutic change: A relational and performance-based approach (2nd ed.). Routledge.
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Meaning & Identity in Healing
Park, C. L., & Helgeson, V. S. (Eds.). (2021). Handbook of the psychology of meaning. Guilford Press.
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Steger, M. F., & Kashdan, T. B. (2020). The psychological importance of meaning in life: Theory, research, and practice. American Psychological Association.
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Triplett, K. N., et al. (2023). Meaning reconstruction in trauma therapy: A systematic review of mechanisms and outcomes. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 36(1), 15–29. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.22807
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Additional Contemporary Trauma & Resilience Sources
Cloitre, M., & Courtois, C. A. (2020). Treating complex trauma: A sequenced, phase-based approach. Psychotherapy, 57(3), 250–259. https://doi.org/10.1037/pst0000318
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Sikkema, K. J., et al. (2022). Psychosocial interventions for trauma recovery: Current evidence and future directions. Clinical Psychology Review, 96, Article 102170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2022.102170
Have you Eaten? Korean Food, Soup, and the Language of Care
Gibson, G. R., Probert, H. M., Van Loo, J., Rastall, R. A., & Roberfroid, M. B. (2004). Dietary modulation of the human colonic microbiota: Updating the concept of prebiotics. Nutrition Research Reviews, 17(2), 259–275. https://doi.org/10.1079/NRR200479
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Hong, S.-T., & Kim, J. (2020). The effects of fermented soybean foods on human health: A narrative review. Journal of Medicinal Food, 23(8), 760–773. https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2020.0013
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Jose, P. E., & Brown, I. (2019). Comfort food in childhood: Memory and wellbeing. Appetite, 141, 104300. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2019.104300
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Kang, S. S., & Kim, H. (2021). Fermented foods and intestinal health: Effects on intestinal microbiota and digestive comfort. Food & Function, 12(6), 2392–2409. https://doi.org/10.1039/D0FO02961G
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Macht, M. (2008). How emotions affect eating: A five-way model. Appetite, 50(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2007.07.002
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Marco, M. L., Heeney, D., Binda, S., Cifelli, C. J., Cotter, P. D., Foligné, B., … Hutkins, R. (2017). Health benefits of fermented foods: Microbiota and beyond. Current Opinion in Biotechnology, 44, 94–102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copbio.2016.11.010
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Swain, M. R., Anandharaj, M., Ray, R. C., & Rani, R. P. (2013). Fermented fruits and vegetables of Asia: A potential source of probiotics. Food Research International, 51(1), 15–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2012.11.006
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Timmermans, B., & De Beuckelaer, A. (2022). Psychological comfort foods: Effects on mood and meaning. Journal of Consumer Psychology, 32(1), 168–182. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcpy.1246
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Wild, B., & Wansink, B. (2019). Comfort food calm: On the comforting effects of eating familiar foods. Food Quality and Preference, 76, 71–79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodqual.2019.04.005
Mom Guilt, Reframed
Meeussen, L., Van Laar, C., & Van Grootel, S. (2023).The pressure of intensive mothering and its impact on mothers’ well-being. Current Psychology, 42(3), 2075–2089. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-021-02602-4
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Roskam, I., Brianda, M. E., & Mikolajczak, M. (2021).A step forward in the conceptualization and measurement of parental burnout: The Parental Burnout Assessment (PBA). Frontiers in Psychology, 12, Article 628312. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.628312
Roskam, I., Raes, M. E., & Mikolajczak, M. (2021).Exhausted parents: Development and preliminary validation of the Parental Burnout Inventory. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, Article 674274. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.674274
Leahy-Warren, P., McCarthy, G., & Corcoran, P. (2022).First-time mothers: Social support, maternal parental self-efficacy and postnatal depression. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 31(1–2), 146–157. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.15913
Felder, J. N., Lemon, E., Shea, K., Kripke, K., Dimidjian, S., & Segal, Z. V. (2019).Role of self-compassion in psychological well-being among perinatal women. Archives of Women’s Mental Health, 22(3), 367–377. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-018-0900-9
Mikolajczak, M., & Roskam, I. (2018).A theoretical and clinical framework for parental burnout: The balance between risks and resources (BR²). Frontiers in Psychology, 9, Article 886. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00886
Mikolajczak, M., Gross, J. J., & Roskam, I. (2019).Parental burnout: What is it, and why does it matter? Clinical Psychological Science, 7(6), 1319–1329.
When Mental Health and Faith Collide
Therapeutic Approaches & Addiction Recovery
​Krotter, A. (2024). Effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy for addictive behaviors: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 32(2024), Article 10077.
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Irani, R. D., & Ahmadi, R. (2022). Comparing the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy and brief intervention on relapse prevention among drug users. Addiction & Health, 14(4), 263–267.
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Zamboni, L., Centoni, F., Fusina, F., Mantovani, E., Rubino, F., Lugoboni, F., & Federico, A. (2021). The effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy techniques for the treatment of substance use disorders: A narrative review. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 209(10), 835–845.
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Guenzel, N. (2023). Addiction relapse prevention. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.
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Integration of Religion/Spirituality & Mental Health
​American Psychological Association. (2023). Incorporating religion and spirituality into therapy. APA Monitor on Psychology.
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Bradley, C. B. (2025). The relationship of Christian spirituality and sustained coping in addiction recovery. Liberty University Digital Commons.
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Handbook of Religion and Health (3rd ed.). (2023). Koenig, H. G., King, D. E., & Carson, V. B. (Eds.). Oxford University Press.
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Fortuna, L. R., et al. (2023). Integrating religious beliefs and spirituality in mindfulness-based CBT approaches for traumatic stress. Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma.
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Mental Health, Stigma, and Religious Community Context
​Cambridge Handbook of Stigma and Mental Health. (2022). Chapter: Stigma and mental health in Abrahamic religious traditions. Cambridge University Press.
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Pargament, K. I. (1997/2001). The Psychology of Religion and Coping: Theory, Research, Practice. Guilford Press.
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ACT & CBT Evidence
​Zhang, L., et al. (2024). Effectiveness of an internet-based acceptance and commitment therapy intervention: A randomized trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 26, e59093.
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Khandelwal, N., et al. (2024). A pilot trial of acceptance and commitment therapy for substance use behaviors: Meta-analytic evidence. Indian Journal of Psychiatry.
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General Psychiatry & Spirituality Context
​APA Foundation. (2024). Mental Health: A Guide for Faith Leaders. American Psychological Association.
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Psychiatric Times. (2025). Religion and spirituality in psychiatry and mental health clinical considerations.
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Broader Context
Koenig, H. G., McCullough, M. E., & Larson, D. B. (2001/2012/2023). Handbook of Religion and Health. Oxford University Press.
Pargament, K. I. (1997/2001). The Psychology of Religion and Coping: Theory, Research, Practice. Guilford Press.
“Do You Still Not Understand?” How Science Illuminates What Scripture Has Always Assumed About Learning
Learning, Memory, and Spaced Practice
Bjork, R. A., & Bjork, E. L. (2011). Making things hard on yourself, but in a good way: Creating desirable difficulties to enhance learning. In M. A. Gernsbacher, R. W. Pew, L. M. Hough, & J. R. Pomerantz (Eds.), Psychology and the real world: Essays illustrating fundamental contributions to society (pp. 56–64). Worth Publishers.
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Cepeda, N. J., Pashler, H., Vul, E., Wixted, J. T., & Rohrer, D. (2006). Distributed practice in verbal recall tasks: A review and quantitative synthesis. Psychological Bulletin, 132(3), 354–380. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.132.3.354
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Cepeda, N. J., Pashler, H., Vul, E., Wixted, J. T., & Rohrer, D. (2009). Spacing effects in learning: A temporal ridgeline of optimal retention. Psychological Science, 20(11), 1095–1102. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9280.2009.02439.x
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Latimier, A., Peyre, H., & Ramus, F. (2021). A meta-analytic review of the benefit of spacing out retrieval practice. Educational Psychology Review, 33, 959–987. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-020-09571-8
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Mawson, R. D., et al. (2025). The distributed practice effect on classroom learning: A systematic review of applied research. Educational Psychology Review. Advance online publication. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12189222/
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Roediger, H. L., & Karpicke, J. D. (2006). Test-enhanced learning: Taking memory tests improves long-term retention. Psychological Science, 17(3), 249–255. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9280.2006.01693.x
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Cognitive Load, Interleaving, and Learning Design
Chen, O., Paas, F., & Sweller, J. (2021). Spacing and interleaving effects require distinct theoretical bases: A systematic review testing the cognitive load and discriminative-contrast hypotheses. Educational Psychology Review, 33, 1499–1522. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-020-09538-9
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Sweller, J. (1988). Cognitive load during problem solving: Effects on learning. Cognitive Science, 12(2), 257–285. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15516709cog1202_4
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Sweller, J., Ayres, P., & Kalyuga, S. (2019). Cognitive load theory (2nd ed.). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-93773-7
Productive Struggle and Learning Through Failure
Sinha, T., & Kapur, M. (2021). When problem solving followed by instruction works: Evidence and explanations. Review of Educational Research, 91(3), 408–444. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543211019105
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Kapur, M. (2016). Examining productive failure, productive success, unproductive failure, and unproductive success in learning. Educational Psychologist, 51(2), 289–299. https://doi.org/10.1080/00461520.2016.1155457
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Stress, Shame, Emotion, and Learning
Almarzouki, A. F., et al. (2024). Stress, working memory, and academic performance: A systematic review. Stress, 27(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/10253890.2024.2364333
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Córdova, A., et al. (2023). The influence of stress and emotion on learning and memory: A neurocognitive review. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, Article 1181789. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1181789
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Immordino-Yang, M. H., Darling-Hammond, L., & Krone, C. R. (2019). Nurturing nature: How brain development is inherently social and emotional, and what this means for education. Educational Psychologist, 54(3), 185–204. https://doi.org/10.1080/00461520.2019.1633924
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Relational Safety, Motivation, and Learning
Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2020). Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation from a self-determination theory perspective: Definitions, theory, practices, and future directions. Routledge.
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Yeager, D. S., & Walton, G. M. (2011). Social-psychological interventions in education: They’re not magic. Review of Educational Research, 81(2), 267–301. https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654311405999
Barkley, R. A. (2015). Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: A handbook for diagnosis and treatment (4th ed.). Guilford Press.
Boot, N., Nevicka, B., & Baas, M. (2020). Creativity in ADHD: Goal-directed motivation and domain specificity. Creativity Research Journal, 32(3), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/10400419.2020.1821566
Demeyer, I., De Raedt, R., & Koster, E. H. W. (2019). Attentional control and time perspective in adults with ADHD. Journal of Attention Disorders, 23(6), 567–578. https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054716686181
Kooij, J. J. S., Bijlenga, D., Salerno, L., et al. (2019). Updated European consensus statement on diagnosis and treatment of adult ADHD. European Psychiatry, 56, 14–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpsy.2018.11.001
Mitchell, J. T., & Nelson-Gray, R. O. (2021). Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and emotion regulation in adults: A meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 87, 102032. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2021.102032
Panagiotidi, M., Overton, P. G., & Stafford, T. (2018). The paradox of ADHD: Trait-related advantages in creativity, resilience, and adaptability. Personality and Individual Differences, 131, 16–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2018.04.017
Sedgwick, J. A., Merwood, A., & Asherson, P. (2019). The positive aspects of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A qualitative study of successful adults with ADHD. ADHD Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders, 11(3), 241–253. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12402-019-00294-0
Shaw, P., Stringaris, A., Nigg, J., & Leibenluft, E. (2014). Emotion dysregulation in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry, 171(3), 276–293. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2013.13070966
White, H. A., & Shah, P. (2016). Scope of semantic activation and innovative thinking in adults with ADHD. Journal of Creative Behavior, 50(3), 185–196. https://doi.org/10.1002/jocb.77
Biblical Behavioural Science Series
Case Study #1: Jonah and Avoidant Coping
Core avoidant coping + coping theory
Lazarus, R. S., & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, appraisal, and coping. Springer.
Suls, J., & Fletcher, B. (1985). The relative efficacy of avoidant and nonavoidant coping strategies: A meta-analysis. Health Psychology, 4(3), 249–288.
Experiential avoidance + ACT foundations (transdiagnostic “avoidance”)
Hayes, S. C., Wilson, K. G., Gifford, E. V., Follette, V. M., & Strosahl, K. (1996). Experiential avoidance and behavioral disorders: A functional dimensional approach to diagnosis and treatment. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 64(6), 1152–1168.
Chawla, N., & Ostafin, B. (2007). Experiential avoidance as a functional dimensional approach to psychopathology: An empirical review. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 63(9), 871–890.
Measurement + psychological flexibility
Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K. D., Wilson, K. G., et al. (2004). Measuring experiential avoidance: A preliminary test of a working model. The Psychological Record, 54, 553–578.
Wang, Y., et al. (2024). Experiential Avoidance Process Model: A review. [PMCID article].
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Groth, N., et al. (2019). Coping as a mediator between locus of control/competence beliefs and mental health: A meta-analysis. Personality and Individual Differences.