Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1996. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 86-97). Also available on the Internet.

This study was designed to determine the effectiveness of a clinical intervention program for reduction of pain and concomitant symptoms of anxiety, depression and hostility in individuals experiencing chronic pain. The program consisted of 36 weeks of supportive group therapy, education and sessions of progressive muscle relaxation induced hypnosis. Single subject research design was used to analyze the clinical effectiveness of treatment. Data was collected and compiled weekly. Serial position curves were generated for a Reported Pain Index, SCL-90-R Symptom Indices for Anxiety, Depression, Hostility and the SCL-90-R Global Severity Index. The three subjects were adults whose ages ranged from 39 to 65, with five or more years of chronic pain due to orthopedic or arthritic conditions. Qualitative analysis of the data indicated dramatic reductions in pain and secondary symptoms. Reductions in reported pain ranged from 17% to 31% with the mean pain reduction for the group of 20.6%. Reduction in the SCL-90-R Global Severity Index ranged from 13.1% to 49.4% with the mean reduction for the group of 36.1%. Reduction in depression ranged from 12.7% to 50% with the mean reduction for the group of 32.6%. Anxiety was reduced for two subjects with a slight increase of .02% for the third subject. Range of anxiety change was .02% increase to 59% reduction with a group mean reduction of 36.3%. Reduction in hostility ranged from 29.5% to 54.4% with a group mean reduction of 39.9%. Progressive muscle relaxation induced hypnosis contributed to further reduction of pain and secondary symptoms with reductions ranging from 4 to 49%. The results of this study show dramatic reductions in pain, depression, hostility and anxiety in chronic pain patients. These findings are not meant to be generalized to other populations, but may point the way for future research utilizing long-term therapeutic approaches and single subject research design.

A distinction has often been drawn between "process" and "outcome" studies in psychotherapy research, but interest in outcome implicitly underlies virtually all research in psychotherapy, there being little point in studying what happens in treatment if these events do not, in some way, relate to outcome. In addition, since an integrative measurement of change appears to be promising in psychotherapy research (e.g. Bloch and Reibstein (1980), Cartwright et al (1963), Mintz et al (1979), Strupp and Hadley (1977), Truax and Carkhuff (1967), among others), the emphasis of the present study was on the perceptions of change by the main participants in therapy, namely the patients and therapists. Therefore, the present study was initiated in an attempt to integrate process and outcome measures of patients' and therapists' experiences of group psychotherapy into a longitudinal study, following the participants from the start of the therapeutic contact through to termination, and six months after termination. Bearing these considerations in mind, the aims of this research were to investigate: a) patients' and therapists' expectations and perceptions of themselves and each other before they commence therapy, and b) patients' and therapists' perceptions of themselves and each other throughout treatment, in relation to outcome. The research design employed was a repeated measures design using interviews, psychological tests (Rotter's Internal-External Control Scale, the Treatment Expectancies Questionnaire, and several semantic differentials), and observation of the participants in the group psychotherapy situation. The main findings of the current research can be summarized as follows: 1. patients' expectations of the role the therapist played in t.heir treatment and what they thought their impending therapy would consist of, influenced their perception of the initial stages of therapy and their participation in treatment. 2. therapists felt there was a lack of congruence between what they thought it was realistic to achieve with their group patients and what they would really like to achieve; their expectations of the patients' participation and gain from group therapy being modified considerably as a result of ongoing treatment. 3. prior to therapy, patients and therapists had differing expectations of what the process of therapy would involve; however, during therapy, patients who came to share similar perceptions of the group process as their therapists, successfully completed treatment. 4. patients became more Internal in the responses to Rotter's Internal-External Control Scale as a result of treatment (p < .OO5), although there were no significant differences between terminators and non-terminators or between males and females. 5. responses to the Treatment Expectancies Questionnaire indicated that patients showed a preference for a more behaviourally oriented treatment regime at the end of group therapy, compared to pre-therapy (p < . 01). 6. the semantic differential data indicated that patients who successfully completed treatment viewed themselves more positively in terms of their attitude towards self and what they felt capable of achieving, attributing this, at termination to the "potency" of the group. 7. it is tentatively suggested that it may be possible to identify the potential terminator prior to commencing therapy, based on his expectations of therapy in general and his treatment in particular. It is suggested, given the numerous limitations of the current study, further research be initiated to validate the present results.

This is an original, serious, three-act play for eleven characters. The drama focuses on a group therapy situation involving three women patients, two men patients, and their therapist. Flashbacks are utilized to provide knowledge of the characters' pasts. Role playing, dream analysis, and behavior modification are some of the tools employed by the counselor. While the therapist does utilize these techniques adequately, his own personal problems prevent him from being as effective as he might be. Consequently, at least two of the characters are propelled to their own destruction, possibly as a result of the therapist's failure. Of course, the possibility does remain that they would have chosen the same paths without the counselor's influence.

This qualitative study utilized a phenomenological research approach (Moustakas, 1994) to examine the question How do group psychotherapy clients experience post-processing? The conceptual framework for the study was Yalom’s interpersonal process approach to group psychotherapy (Yalom & Leszcz, 2005). Participants were 12 university counseling center clients who were members of an interpersonal process-oriented psychotherapy group at a large urban university. Data collection consisted of in-depth interviews. Data analysis procedures followed recommendations by Smith and Osborn (2003) and Creswell (2007). In order to increase the trustworthiness and rigor of the study, the researcher engaged in reflexive journaling, member checking, and the use of two external auditors. Results of the study are presented as a description of how participants experienced post-processing, and are organized within two domains: (a) Experiences of post-processing; and (b) Contextual pieces. Within the first domain, eight categories emerged: (a) verbal report card; (b) silent observer phenomenon; (c) leader expertise; (d) emotional homework; (e) light bulb moments; (f) validation and reinforcement; (g) connections; and (h) final chapter experiences. Categories were made up of one or more related themes. Within the second domain were four related themes: (a) intensity or depth; (b) outside stressors; (c) group constellation; and (d) time in group. Quotes from participants are included to illustrate the findings. The role of the researcher as an instrument in the study is described. The results are discussed in relation to the theoretical framework of the study and the existing literature. Implications for research and practice of group psychotherapy are identified. Strengths and weaknesses of the study are included, as well as suggestion for future research.

The need for intergroup reconciliation programmes emerges within the prevailing narrative of cultural conflict. However, failing attempts to resolve conflict at the macro (political) level of society have called for a unique approach that seeks to address these issues creatively at the first point of contact. Therefore, the last twenty years have seen a proliferation of non-profit group workshops and interventions aimed at engaging groups in a diversity of dialogue. To date there have been very few of these interventions that have addressed conflict therapeutically at the micro level of society– at which communities interact directly with another. The aim of this research was to conduct an explorative mixed method study into how an intergroup encounter intervention between Palestinians and Israelis could encourage participants to understand each other as human beings with shared fears, hopes and rights that may surpass assumptions of the other as ‘the enemy’, thereby encouraging participants to ‘give the other a human face’. Conducted with a mixed group of twenty-eight participants, a pre-to-post survey measure analysed behavioural change, while a six-month follow-up interview with four participants explored the impact of participating in the acquaintance seminar on participants lived experiences. Final analysis indicated that while there was a trend towards behavioural change, the outcome was statistically non-significant. Meanwhile interpretive phenomenological analysis produced five key master themes that highlighted the impact of change and the contextual challenges of living with conflict. Managing new relationships and cultural barriers highlighted the key contextual challenges that participants were faced with. This highlights a need for investing resources and training into group conflict programmes that are promoted by key counselling psychology principles of practice. Overall, working with conflict is considered a relevant and unique opportunity for counselling psychologists and group facilitators, most of whom have no formal training or resources for working with conflict resolution in minority groups.

The Group Questionnaire (GQ) was developed to measure group therapeutic processes-which are linked to successful prediction of patient outcome and therapeutic factors-across three qualitative dimensions (positive bond, positive work, and negative relationship) and three structural dimensions (member-leader, member-member, and member-group). The GQ model has been shown to be valid across 5 settings and 4 countries. As a clinical measure given after each session, length is of particular concern. Although shorter measures are more convenient for clients and therapists to use, fewer items necessarily means less information, a loss of psychometrics, and possible floor and ceiling effects. This study examined the effects of shortening the GQ on its clinical utility and psychometric integrity. Methods. Archival data from 7 previous studies was used, with 2,594 participants in an estimated 455 groups gathered from counseling centers, non-clinical process groups, inpatient psychiatric hospitals, outpatient psychiatric hospitals, and an inpatient state hospital. Participants answered questions from the Group Questionnaire administered during the productive working phase of a group. Analysis. Analysis was done using multilevel structural equation modeling in Mplus to account for the nested nature of groups. Items were selected using clinical judgment and statistical judgment considering inter item correlation and factor loading. Model fit was analyzed in comparison to the standards in the literature and in comparison to the full length GQ. Discussion. The revised 12 item GQ has good model fit and acceptable reliability. Further assessment is needed to determine how the reduction affects clinical utility.

This dissertation explores what it means to “Act Upon” measure-based feedback in the group therapy context. Eleven group leaders at three college counseling centers were provided feedback completed by their group members using the Group Questionnaire (GQ) and the Outcome Questionnaire (OQ-45). Researchers selected two a priori ways in which the feedback could be “acted upon”: via GQ Use and GQ Value. Leaders reported their use and value of the feedback using two data sources—weekly leader slips and end-of-term debrief interview transcripts. Both sources of data were content analyzed across several phases of coding. The resultant categories are intended to provide a preliminary understanding of how leaders treat the feedback received. Dimensions were then added to consolidate the meaning of the categories into a temporal pattern. Finally, using the resultant data, a scheme for quantifying the “acted upon” construct is proposed in effort to develop a potential moderator or mediator variable for future quantitative analyses. Implications of the dissertation are then discussed.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Nevada, Reno, 2006. / "May, 2006." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 85-92). Online version available on the World Wide Web.

The current dissertation is comprised of two studies that examined the relationship between group dynamics, attachment anxiety, and post-treatment outcomes in a sample of women (N = 102) with binge eating disorder (BED) who received Group Psychodynamic Interpersonal Psychotherapy. The first study explored the relationship between the development of group cohesion, the individuals’ level of attachment anxiety, and frequency of binge eating, symptoms of depression, and self-esteem at post-treatment. The second study explored the relationship between the interpersonal learning, individuals’ level of attachment anxiety, and outcomes. Interpersonal learning was conceptualized as the convergence between multiple perspectives of group cohesion: one’s own and the group’s perception of one’s cohesion to the group. Parallel measures of individual self-rated cohesion (CQ-I) and mean group-rated cohesion (CQ-G) were developed based on the original Cohesion Questionnaire (CQ; Piper et al., 1983) for this study. Participants were assigned to homogeneous groups composed of either high or low attachment anxiety to assess the impact of pre-treatment attachment anxiety. Findings indicated significant growth in cohesion over time, and a significant convergence in multiple ratings of cohesion. These processes did not differ significantly based on level of attachment anxiety. Growth in cohesion was related to greater reductions in binge eating for those high in attachment anxiety, while the convergence in ratings of cohesion (i.e., interpersonal learning) was related to improvements in self-esteem for individuals in both attachment anxiety conditions. The findings support the importance of group interventions for BED that are sensitive to individuals’ attachment anxiety, and that emphasize cohesiveness, and interpersonal learning to improve outcomes.