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Are Successful Applicants to the Roman Catholic Deaconate Psychologically Healthy?

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Abstract

The current investigation evaluated psychological and personality profiles of successful applicants to the deaconate in several Roman Catholic dioceses in California. The MMPI-2 and 16PF were administered to 25 applicants between 2004 and 2006 who subsequently entered the permanent deaconate program. Results indicate that these applicants to the deaconate were generally well-adjusted as well as being socially responsible. Findings also suggest some tendency for defensiveness, repression, naivete, and a strong need for affection, as well as for being emotionally stable, genuine, and cooperative.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychology Department, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA, 95053-0333, USA

    Thomas G. Plante & Kathleen Lackey

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  1. Thomas G. Plante
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  2. Kathleen Lackey
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Correspondence to Thomas G. Plante.

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Plante, T.G., Lackey, K. Are Successful Applicants to the Roman Catholic Deaconate Psychologically Healthy?. Pastoral Psychol 55, 789–795 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11089-007-0081-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11089-007-0081-2

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