Travis Research Institute
Spirituality and Health
Office
Chief Academic Officer
Fuller Theological Seminary
180 N. Oakland Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91101-1714
aabernet@fuller.edu
Phone
626.584.5359
External Collaborators
Karl Van Harn, DMin, Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services
Kimlin Ashing, PhD, City of Hope CCARE
Joseph Currier, PhD, University of South Alabama
Charlotte vanOyen-Witvliet, PhD, Hope College
Lindsey Root Luna, PhD, Hope College
Joshua Foster, PhD, University of South Alabama
Sarah Schnitker, PhD, Baylor University
Janet Carter, MDiv, Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services
Marwan Tabbara, MD, Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services
Katharine Putman, PsyD, Azusa Pacific University
Mission
The Spirituality and Health Lab is interested in two primary research questions: What dimensions of spirituality influence preventive health behaviors, disease, and psychological functioning? How and through what mechanisms does spirituality influence preventive health behaviors, disease, and psychological functioning? Three research teams are associated with this lab: Experiences of Spirituality and Health-Related Outcomes (ESHO); Spirituality, Cancer, and Health Disparities (SCAHD); and Spirituality, Culture, and Eating Disturbance (SCED).
PROJECT
Experience of Spirituality and Health-Related Outcomes (ESHO) Research Team
- African American Women Spirituality and Health Team
- Spiritual Experiences in Worship: Cultural, Theological, and Psychological Perspectives
- Music Worship Leader Project
- Spirituality and Transformation in a Community-Based Group in the Bahamas
- Forgiveness and Spiritual Distress in an Inpatient Psychiatric Setting
- Examining Spirituality and Mental Health Outcomes in Psychiatric Patients
- Clarifying How Views of the Afterlife, Hope, and Meaning Influence Suicidal Ideation in Psychiatric Inpatients
RECENT PUBLICATIONS
Experiences of Spirituality and Health-Related Outcomes (ESHO) Team
Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services
Abernethy, A. (Ed.). (2023).Spiritual care in psychological suffering: How a research collaboration informs integrative practice. Rowman & Littlefield.
Hinkel, H. M., Isaak, S. L., Abernethy, A. D., Witvliet, C. V. O., Schnitker, S. A., Root Luna, L.M., & Currier, J. M. (2021). Religiousness, meaning, and quality of life: Test of a mediational model among adults seeking a spiritually integrated inpatient program. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 77(4), 1054–1067. https://doi.org.fuller.idm.oclc.org/10.1002/jclp.23096
Abernethy, A. D., Currier, J. M., Schnitker, S. A., Witvliet, C. V. O., Root Luna, L M., Foster, J.D., VanHarn, K., & Carter, J. (2021). Inpatient perspectives on the appropriateness of spiritually integrated interventions in a Christian-affiliated program. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice. 52(3), 272-278. https://doi.org/10.1037/pro0000367
Schnitker, S. A., Ro, D., Foster, J. D., Abernethy, A. D., Currier, J. M., Witvliet, C. V. O., Root Luna, L. M., Putnam, K., VanHarn, K., & Carter, J. (2020). Patient patients: Increased patience associated with decreased depressive symptoms in psychiatric treatment. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 15, 300-313. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2019.1610482
Currier, J. M., Foster, J. D., Witvliet, C. vanOyen, Abernethy, A. D., Root Luna, L. M., Schnitker, S.A., … Carter, J. (2019). Spiritual struggles and mental health outcomes in a spiritually integrated inpatient program. Journal of Affective Disorders, 249, 127–135. https://doi.org.fuller.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.jad.2019.02.012
Abernethy, A. D., Currier, J. M., Witvliet, C. V. O., Schnitker, S. A., Putman, K. M., Root Luna, L.M., Foster, J. D., Spencer, A., Jones, H., VanHarn, K. J., & Carter, J. (2018). Understanding the roles of religious comfort and strain on depressive symptoms in an inpatient psychiatric setting. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality. Advance online publication. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/rel0000233
The Family - Bahamas Group Project
Abernethy, A. D., Grannum, G. D., & Allen, D. F. (2019). Spirituality and transformation in a community-based group in the Bahamas. Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 22(3), 227–243. https://doi.org.fuller.idm.oclc.org/10.1080/13674676.2019.1579177
Abernethy, A. D., Allen, D. F., & Carroll, M. A. (2017) Adapting group therapy to address real world problems: Insights from groups offered in the Bahamas. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy. 1-18. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00207284.2017.1335582
Black Women’s Spirituality Group
Abernethy, A. D. (2022). Spirituality and struggle as sources of strength and power for African American women: Implications for group therapy leadership. In Y. I. Kane, S. M. Masselink, & A. C. Weiss(eds)., Women, intersectionality and power in group psychotherapy leadership. (pp.19-32) Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group.
Spirituality, Cancer, and Health Disparities (SCAHD) Team
Flores, N. J., Mathew, M. J., Fortson, L. S., Abernethy, A. D., & Ashing, K. T. (2021). The influence of culture, social, and religious support on well-being in breast cancer Survivorship. Cureus, 13(3), e14158. https://doi.org.fuller.idm.oclc.org/10.7759/cureus.14158
Spirituality, Culture, and Eating Disturbance (SCED) Team
King, L. H., Abernethy, A. D., Keiper, C., & Craycraft, A. (2018). Spirituality and eating disorder risk factors in African American women. Eating And Weight Disorders: EWD. https://doiorg.fuller.idm.oclc.org/10.1007/s40519-018-0611-1
General
Porter, S. L., Wang, D. C., Abernethy, A., Strout, S., Dillard, W., Yong, A., & van Vlastuin, W. (2021). Ecumenical and traditioned measurement: Measuring Christian maturation across distinct traditions of Christian spirituality. Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care. https://doi.org/10.1177/19397909211041032
Abernethy, A. D. (2021). Spiritual formation: Our spiritual journey to clinical practice. In D. J. Downs, T. Armstrong, and A Yong, (eds)., Vocation, formation, and theological education: Interdisciplinary Perspectives (pp. 163-184). Claremont Press.
Abernethy, A. D. (2020). Spirituality as a resource in group psychotherapy. In M. D. Ribeiro (ed.), Examining social identities and diversity issues in group therapy: Knocking at the boundaries (pp. 149-160). Routledge Press.
Abernethy, A. D., & Kim, S.-H. (2018). The Spiritual Transcendence Index: An Item Response Theory Analysis. International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 28(4), 240–256. https://doi.org.fuller.idm.oclc.org/10.1080/10508619.2018.1507800
People
Faculty and Principal investigator
Alexis D. Abernethy
Professor of Psychology
BS, HOWARD UNIVERSITY
MA, PHD, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT BERKELEY
TEAMS
EXPERIENCE OF SPIRITUALITY AND HEALTH-RELATED OUTCOMES (ESHO) RESEARCH TEAM
SPIRITUALITY, CANCER, AND HEALTH DISPARITIES (SCAHD) TEAM
SPIRITUALITY, CULTURE, AND EATING DISTURBANCE (SCED) TEAM
Students
Dinisha Mingo, M.S., MA., Research Fellow
Dinisha is a third-year PhD student interested in researching mental health in the faith-based community, particularly identifying practices of faith that may serve as therapeutic interventions in the Black church. Dinisha plans to use her degree to re-invest in her business as well as teach, supervise, and be a public speaker.
Shannon Constable, Research Fellow
Shannon is a second-year PhD student currently researching spiritual wellness. Shannon aspires to teach and supervise graduate psychology students, practice in a clinical setting, and lead research initiatives in holistic psychology (specifically concerning integrative clinical care; body, mind, & spirit).
Juliana D’Aoust, M.A.
Juliana is a fourth-year PsyD student interested in researching the relationships between disordered eating, spirituality, and health disparities. Juliana has goals to specialize in health psychology but also enjoys working psychodynamically with young adult populations in private practice settings.
Jolie Slater, M.A.
Jolie is a third-year PsyD student researching health outcomes among college students experiencing food insecurity and managing food allergies. Jolie hopes to work with college students and young adults managing food allergies and mental health concerns from a holistic person centered approach. She also enjoys health psychology and working on interdisciplinary teams.
Contact Us
t. 626.584.5544
email: tri@fuller.edu
Staff
Jim Cummings, MDiv, MA
Research Administrator
jamescummings2@fuller.edu
Office Hours
Monday–Friday
8 am–5 pm
Address
Room 326
180 N. Oakland Ave
Pasadena, CA 91182