Abigail Holland Conley - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Abigail Holland Conley

Research paper thumbnail of Spiritual Exchange in Pluralistic Contexts: Sharing Narratives across Worldview Differences

Journal of College & University Housing, 2014

Grounded in narrative inquiry, this study explored the ways in which graduate and undergraduate s... more Grounded in narrative inquiry, this study explored the ways in which graduate and undergraduate students representing different worldview identities come together in dyads to share stories that reflect their existential and spiritual development. The study revealed two contrasting types of exchange: (1) deep, personal exchanges that involved a disclosure of significant life experiences in conversations built upon mutual understanding and rapport (2) and distal, surface exchanges that consisted primarily of information sharing. Deep, personal exchanges had the potential to transform participants' perceptions of self and others, but contextual aspects of the exchange-including personal background and approaches to constructing identity-also played a role in the transformation process. The paper concludes with best practices for residence life professionals interested in facilitating spiritual exchange among diverse college students.

Research paper thumbnail of Prevalence and predictors of sexual assault among a college sample

Journal of American College Health, 2016

Research paper thumbnail of Counselor Empathy; Religiosity; and Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Perspectives

Counseling and values, 2020

Research paper thumbnail of Disenchantment, Buffering, and Spiritual Reductionism: A Pedagogy of Secularism for Counseling and Psychotherapy

Religions

The various mental health disciplines (e.g., counseling, psychology, social work) all mandate com... more The various mental health disciplines (e.g., counseling, psychology, social work) all mandate competence in working with clients from diverse religious and spiritual backgrounds. However, there is growing evidence that practitioners feel ill-equipped to meet the needs of their religiously- and spiritually-diverse clients. Furthermore, formal education on religion and spirituality remains optional within coursework. Research on religion and spirituality is also noted for its reductionism to observable outcomes, leaving much of its nuance uncovered. This paper will utilize philosophies of secularism and explore the concepts of disenchantment, buffering, and coercion, to help illuminate why our contemporary society and our disciplines struggle with this incongruence between stated values and implementation. Case vignettes and recommendations will be provided to help practitioners and educators.

Research paper thumbnail of Effects of social support on the association between precollege sexual assault and college-onset victimization

Journal of American College Health

This study examined the moderating and mediating effects of perceived social support on the assoc... more This study examined the moderating and mediating effects of perceived social support on the association between precollege sexual assault (SA) and college-onset SA. A representative sample of 6,132 undergraduates. The PLUM procedure in SPSS was used to test the moderation model, with individual regressions conducted in a hierarchical fashion. A weighted least squared mean and variance adjusted (WLSMV) mediation model was used to examine the mediating effect of social support. Precollege SA significantly predicted college-onset SA. Social support significantly mediated the relation between precollege SA and college-onset SA. Social support was not a significant moderator of this relationship. Given the high prevalence of SA among college populations, as well as the high rates of SA revictimization, identification of factors that may be related to repeated SA (eg, low social support) within this population are essential and may inform intervention, policy, and university student services.

Research paper thumbnail of Spiritual Exchange in Pluralistic Contexts: Sharing Narratives across Worldview Differences

Journal of College & University Housing, 2014

Grounded in narrative inquiry, this study explored the ways in which graduate and undergraduate s... more Grounded in narrative inquiry, this study explored the ways in which graduate and undergraduate students representing different worldview identities come together in dyads to share stories that reflect their existential and spiritual development. The study revealed two contrasting types of exchange: (1) deep, personal exchanges that involved a disclosure of significant life experiences in conversations built upon mutual understanding and rapport (2) and distal, surface exchanges that consisted primarily of information sharing. Deep, personal exchanges had the potential to transform participants' perceptions of self and others, but contextual aspects of the exchange-including personal background and approaches to constructing identity-also played a role in the transformation process. The paper concludes with best practices for residence life professionals interested in facilitating spiritual exchange among diverse college students.

Research paper thumbnail of Prevalence and predictors of sexual assault among a college sample

Journal of American College Health, 2016

Research paper thumbnail of Counselor Empathy; Religiosity; and Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Perspectives

Counseling and values, 2020

Research paper thumbnail of Disenchantment, Buffering, and Spiritual Reductionism: A Pedagogy of Secularism for Counseling and Psychotherapy

Religions

The various mental health disciplines (e.g., counseling, psychology, social work) all mandate com... more The various mental health disciplines (e.g., counseling, psychology, social work) all mandate competence in working with clients from diverse religious and spiritual backgrounds. However, there is growing evidence that practitioners feel ill-equipped to meet the needs of their religiously- and spiritually-diverse clients. Furthermore, formal education on religion and spirituality remains optional within coursework. Research on religion and spirituality is also noted for its reductionism to observable outcomes, leaving much of its nuance uncovered. This paper will utilize philosophies of secularism and explore the concepts of disenchantment, buffering, and coercion, to help illuminate why our contemporary society and our disciplines struggle with this incongruence between stated values and implementation. Case vignettes and recommendations will be provided to help practitioners and educators.

Research paper thumbnail of Effects of social support on the association between precollege sexual assault and college-onset victimization

Journal of American College Health

This study examined the moderating and mediating effects of perceived social support on the assoc... more This study examined the moderating and mediating effects of perceived social support on the association between precollege sexual assault (SA) and college-onset SA. A representative sample of 6,132 undergraduates. The PLUM procedure in SPSS was used to test the moderation model, with individual regressions conducted in a hierarchical fashion. A weighted least squared mean and variance adjusted (WLSMV) mediation model was used to examine the mediating effect of social support. Precollege SA significantly predicted college-onset SA. Social support significantly mediated the relation between precollege SA and college-onset SA. Social support was not a significant moderator of this relationship. Given the high prevalence of SA among college populations, as well as the high rates of SA revictimization, identification of factors that may be related to repeated SA (eg, low social support) within this population are essential and may inform intervention, policy, and university student services.