Thesis (MPsy(Clinical))--University of South Australia, 2001.

The view regarding social units as entities in their own right disappeared from scientific consideration in the mid-twentieth century as much for political and ideological reasons as scientific ones. Yet group psychotherapy rediscovered these ideas. The problem to re-establish them scientifically is lack of empirical methodology for investigating whole groups. / The study integrated theories of groups as psychic entities from sociology, social psychology and group psychotherapy to form hypotheses about therapeutic groups" functioning. Four dimensions of whole-group function were derived: Structure, Cognitive Organisation, Affect, and Action Coherence. An observational instrument, the "Group Function Record," was developed, categories defined for each dimension and a procedure established to rate minute-by-minute group function from videotaped psychotherapy groups. Therapists" Interventions were also recorded. The instrument treats the group as the object of study and quality of collective functioning is rated irrespective of members present or their roles. Reliability was established and ratings were made of one latency and four adolescent yearlong groups. / Results substantiated an eight-phase developmental sequence derived from the group development literature and outlined a theory of group formation. The most challenging, but creative state was found to be when the group is whole with all members in communication, though it is unstable and often managed by breaking into subgroups. A linear relation existed showing that the smaller the group, the better it functions. Groups also function best with one or two members missing, but more absentees threaten the group’s existence. More highly organized groups are more stable, but tend to destabilize when they become self-reflective. Homeostatic self-correcting tendencies and a close relationship between affective and action changes were evident. Change towards unpleasurable affect is associated with change from cooperation to conflict and vice versa. Crises tend to be precipitated by affective change, but correct themselves within the next minute or two. The effects of Therapists" Interventions towards members, the group or both were analyzed. Group interventions initially tend to reduce functionality, followed by improvement after several minutes; member interventions have inconsistent effects; interventions to group and members in the same minute tend to produce immediate improved function. / The findings and their implications for therapeutic goals and technique with adolescents are discussed in relation to the theoretical background. Considerable merit is found in the collective mentality theories, many of whose postulates are validated. Indications for therapeutic technique are outlined from the findings. The method provides a different view of group process posing new questions and suggesting simple techniques are therapeutically potent. Further avenues of research are suggested.

Thesis (M.A.)--Lancaster Bible College, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 83-87).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Minnesota, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 173-187).

Thesis (Psy.D.)--Wheaton College, 2006. / The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a cognitive behavioral group therapy intervention for chronic pain with an economically disadvantaged community sample of older adults. Specifically, the study was designed to assess the impact of the intervention on mood, general well-being, and the use of learned coping skills to manage pain. The program was a modified version of Ersek's "Managing Chronic Pain" which incorporated coping skills training in the areas of exercise, relaxation, and cognitive restructuring. The intervention consisted of a six week "class" with a one month follow-up booster session, each session lasting 90 minutes. Twenty-two participants with an average age of 77 living in government subsidized housing completed the program. The program was found to be moderately effective. Participants' pain intensity and interference did not significantly decrease, however scores trended in the predicted direction. Scores in the areas of mood, physical well-being, and coping skills all changed in the predicted directions, however the changes were not statistically significant. Mental health well-being increased significantly following program participation, but returned to initial levels at the one month follow-up booster session assessment. Clinical implications as well as limitations of the study are discussed. Includes bibliographical references (l. 87-96).

Thesis (Psy.D.)--Wheaton College, 2006. / Abstract. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a cognitive behavioral group therapy intervention for chronic pain with an economically disadvantaged community sample of older adults. Specifically, the study was designed to assess the impact of the intervention on mood, general well-being, and the use of learned coping skills to manage pain. The program was a modified version of Ersek's "Managing Chronic Pain" which incorporated coping skills training in the areas of exercise, relaxation, and cognitive restructuring. The intervention consisted of a six week "class" with a one month follow-up booster session, each session lasting 90 minutes. Twenty-two participants with an average age of 77 living in government subsidized housing completed the program. The program was found to be moderately effective. Participants' pain intensity and interference did not significantly decrease, however scores trended in the predicted direction. Scores in the areas of mood, physical well-being, and coping skills all changed in the predicted directions, however the changes were not statistically significant. Mental health well-being increased significantly following program participation, but returned to initial levels at the one month follow-up booster session assessment. Clinical implications as well as limitations of the study are discussed. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 87-96).

Thesis (M.A.)--Mount Saint Vincent University, 2003. / "The Grief Recovery© Program is an educational and counseling program designed by the Grief Recovery Institute"--Abstract; accessible on the Internet: http://www.grief-recovery.com. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 71-72).

Thesis (M. A.)--Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, 1996. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 200-229).

Thesis (M.A.)--Trinity International University, Deerfield, Ill., 1997. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 78-87).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Wollongong, 2008. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references: leaf 229-255.