Psychological Profiles of Catholic Deacon Aspirants

Abstract

Using an assessment battery of psychological tests and clinical interview, 139 aspirants to the Permanent Diaconate in the Roman Catholic Church were evaluated as part of a screening process to determine who would be selected for a training program leading to ordination. This retrospective study was conducted to develop a systematic psychological description of those candidates deemed acceptable for training. Review of archival records identified differences between those aspirants accepted for training versus those not accepted on 13 key dimensions: MMPI-2 Factor 1-Anxious Distress; MMPI-2 Factor 2-Addiction/Acting Out; three scales of the Millon Index of Personality Styles (MIPS), Pain-Avoiding, Self-Indulging and Clinical Adjustment Index; marital satisfaction; education level; occupational stability; occupational satisfaction; service motivation; handling a hypothetical parish dilemma; DSM-IV-TR Axis I diagnosis and Axis II disorder/traits. Implications of how such a descriptive profile could be applied in future screening and selection of clergy candidates are discussed.

Risk Factors for Alcoholism Among Women Religious: Affect Regulation

“…One pathway to alcohol dependence begins with vulnerability due to negative affect, leading to increased response to alcohol's mood-elevating and stress-dampening effects (Sher 1994). The finding of correlation between addictions and negative affect in this study contributes to the growing body of research on affect regulation (negative emotionality, alexithymia, neuroticism) in addictive disorders (Gamino et al 2006;Heath et al 1997;Jackson and Sher 2003;McGue et al 1997).…”

“…Louis A. Gamino et al (2006), in a recent study of male aspirants to the Catholic deaconate, identified two problematic profiles or factors from MMPI-2 and MIPS data involving Addiction/Acting Out and Anxious Distress. These were elevated in those respondents who were deemed unacceptable candidates (Gamino et al 2006).…”

“…Gamino et al (2006), in a recent study of male aspirants to the Catholic deaconate, identified two problematic profiles or factors from MMPI-2 and MIPS data involving Addiction/Acting Out and Anxious Distress. These were elevated in those respondents who were deemed unacceptable candidates (Gamino et al 2006). Future research should also examine whether there are gender differences in how well affect regulation can differentiate religious individuals (priests, brothers, women Religious, candidates) who are at high risk for an addictive disorder.…”

Predicting Ordination, Early-Career Mobility, and Career Adaptation from Ministerial Applicants’ Psychological Assessment Results

“…Psychological assessments of pastoral applicants have attracted some research attention, but follow-up studies of the assessment results are rare. Most studies have adopted the descriptive approach, reporting what kind of people the ordinands (applicants) or ordained clergy are (for example: Gamino, Sewell, Mason, & Crostley, 2007;Musson, 2002;Plante, Aldridge, & Louie, 2005;Plante, 2011). As a result, we have basic knowledge of the personality profiles of clergy across denominations, for example Pentecostals (Francis & Kay, 1995), Anglicans (Francis, Craig, Whinney, Tilley, & Slater, 2007;Musson, 2002), Episcopalians and Presbyterians (Rosik, Renteria, & Pittman, 2011), and Catholic (Plante et al, 2005;Plante, Manuel, & Tandez, 1996).…”

Men in Ministry: Comparing Deacons and Candidates on Religiosity, Leadership, Personality, and Worship–Work Behaviors

“…Unfortunately, few studies examined the characteristics of Catholic deacon candidates. Gamino, Sewell, Mason, and Crostley (2007) examined archival records on psychiatric adjustment screening measures for 139 men either selected or not as "aspirants" (men entering their first year of diaconal studies). Results found selected candidates to be mature men; successful in careers and marriage; free of disabling neurosis, addictions, anger, and interpersonal problems; and possessing solid ego strength.…”