The focus of this research study is on establishing emotional awareness in the child in her middle childhood that finds herself in a children's home. Emphasis is placed on the effect that structured Gestalt group therapy has on the development of emotional awareness in the child in a children's home and how it can be utilized to positively support the process of emotional awareness. The main aim of the study is to investigate, evaluate and describe the impact of structured gestalt group therapy on the emotional awareness of the child in a children's home, for play therapists to use within this context. / SOCIAL WORK / MDIAC (PLAY THERAPY)

The problem with which this investigation is concerned is the comparison of the effects of two group counseling approaches upon selected counselee characteristics. The purpose of the study was the determination of the relative effectiveness of counselor-led group counseling and leaderless group counseling upon anxiety, self-concept, and study habits and attitudes among high school seniors. Forty of ninety-six Russellville, Arkansas, high school seniors who were referred for group counseling by their high school teachers and counselors were randomly selected as subjects. Thirty of the students were assigned in a random manner to three ten-member experimental groups. Ten of the students were assigned in a random manner to a control group. Following treatment each group was reduced to eight subjects each because of poor participation by a few subjects in each group. The IPAT Anxiety Scale, the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale, and the Survey of Study Habits and Attitudes were administered to all subjects prior to and after ten weeks of treatment.

This study reviewed the literature regarding forgiveness and developed a structured group counseling format with the theme of forgiveness. The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of forgiveness as used in group counseling upon depression, generalized anxiety, dogmatism, relationships, guilt, and forgiveness in the participants. Thirty subjects were selected to participate in one of three groups: an experimental group, a comparison treatment group, and a control group. The experimental group and the comparison treatment group participated in two-hour group sessions, once a week for ten weeks. The experimental group was didactic and experiential with the focus on forgiveness, whereas the comparison treatment group was problem solving using Redecision Therapy. All groups participated in pre and post test sessions. The seven hypotheses in this study were tested with a multivariate analysis of covariance as well as univariate analysis of covariance for each hypothesis. Significance in differences between means was tested at the .05 level of significance.

The investigation was concerned with determining the effectiveness of group systematic desensitization and group covert positive reinforcement, with a control group. The two treatment conditions were to be compared if both were effective in reducing test anxiety as measured by the College Form of the Test Anxiety Questionnaire. Three groups were employed, two treatment and one control group, with four subjects in each. An analysis of covariance yielded insignificant results at the .05 level. A review of the literature was presented, procedural aspects of the treatments were covered, and possible reasons for the insignificant results were discussed.

This dissertation examines the question how do group therapy members perceive the therapeutic relationship in process group therapy? The study fits within the interpretivist paradigm and employs a phenomenological qualitative research approach (Moustakas, 1994). The theoretical framework used to orient the study drew on process group theory according to Rutan, Stone, and Shay’s (2007) psychodynamic group psychotherapy approach and Yalom and Leszcz’s (2005) interpersonal process model of group psychotherapy. Participants were 10 university counseling center clients who were members of process therapy groups at a large urban university. Data collection consisted of in-depth interviews and demographic questionnaires. Phenomenological data analysis procedures followed recommendations by Creswell (2007) and Moustakas (1994). To enhance the rigor and trustworthiness of the study, the researcher engaged in member checking, use of an external auditor, reflexive and methodological journaling, and negative case analysis. Results of the study are presented as descriptions of how participants perceived the therapeutic relationship and the relationship’s influence on the experience of group therapy. Eight categories emerged from the interviews: (a) presence of group leaders; (b) safety; (c) caring; (d) sharing; (e) running the group; (f) levels of leadership; (g) developing understanding; and (h) intimacy with boundaries. Categories consisted of one or more related themes. There is a consideration of how the researcher’s experiences and beliefs played a role in the study. The results are discussed in relation to relevant group therapy theory and research. Strengths, weaknesses, and considerations of the study findings are offered. Implications of the study findings for group therapy practice and research are noted.

Millions of Americans have served in the military, and improved survival rates in wars have increased the percentage of those who return home. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the most prevalent mental health diagnoses for veterans. Although few studies have examined the link, previous research as well as the minority stress model and transgenerational trauma theories, suggest that race may be associated with PTSD, particularly in military samples. The current study examined whether there were differences in PTSD symptomology (global and symptom cluster-specific) based on veterans’ race and whether group therapy effectively reduced symptoms of PTSD. Data were collected from male veterans who identified as non-Hispanic Caucasian or non-Hispanic African American (N = 450) and participated in a 10-week, combat-related, group therapy PTSD Recovery Program between 2010 and 2014. Participants completed the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist- Military version (PCL-M) measure at three time points (intake, pre-treatment, and post-treatment). Global PTSD symptoms and three of the four symptom clusters did not differ between African American and Caucasian participants at intake. However, the symptom cluster of re-experiencing was higher for African Americans compared to Caucasians at intake. Additionally, the Recovery Program led to a reduction in PCL-M scores. This symptom reduction occurred regardless of race, with neither racial group improving more than the other. Moreover, dropout rates for the Recovery Program were on par or better than those for other trauma-focused therapies. Although the overall racial and ethnic composition of groups was not related to most outcomes, the percentage of racial/ethnic minority members in groups was negatively associated with the number of sessions attended for Caucasians. Findings also indicated that the PCL-M demonstrated good psychometric properties in an African American sample. One implication from this study is that the current conceptualization and measurement of PTSD may be insufficient. It may be more helpful to examine specific PTSD symptom clusters, especially when assessing differences by race. The effectiveness of the PTSD Recovery Program supports alternative options to treating veterans with PTSD in the VA system. Last, it is important for therapists to consider the composition of groups when conducting group therapy.

Ububele is a resource and training centre located in the greater Alexandra Township of Johannesburg. One of Ububele’s projects, the Ububele Persona Doll project, is a programme that is aimed at developing emotional literacy in pre-school children using a life-size handmade doll in a group setting. This research has sought to explore the use of the Ububele Persona Dolls. The sample consisted of eighteen Grade R children at the Ububele Therapeutic Nursery School and their teacher. They were video recorded during six regular Ububele Persona Doll sessions. The use of the dolls in developing emotional literacy in pre-school children, as well as their potential for use in group therapy was assessed in three different stages. Firstly, the presence of emotional material in the form of emotional adjectives was assessed. The teacher’s response patterns and level of empathy, as well as the effectiveness of the responses in terms of the goals of emotional literacy development were analysed. Lastly, the transcripts were examined for the presence of material, with regard to thematic content that could be used in group therapy. The presence of emotional adjectives suggested that there was useful emotional material present, although the material was mainly brought up by the teacher and the range of the material was limited. The teacher’s responses were most frequently informative, didactive or directive responses and questioning responses. However, she did make use of paraphrases and restatements, reflections and verbal encouragers to a lesser degree. With regards to the empathic levels of the responses, most of the responses involved exact replications of what was said by the child and no empathic responses requiring an understanding of human behaviour were given. The goals of emotional literacy training were all being achieved within the sessions. A number of themes, including physical discipline, abuse and neglect, broken or non-nuclear families, and death and dying, emerged. These themes could be concentrated on by a group facilitator.

This study compares the impact of group counseling with that of outdoor group experience upon institutionalized adolescents. Limited to subjects between twelve and sixteen years old, the study evaluates behavior, self-esteem, social and personal adjustment, and sociometric choosing. The object of these evaluations is to test the effectiveness of these two approaches to treating disturbed adolescents who had failed to function in a community setting and who might otherwise have lapsed into delinquency. Significant change following group counseling and following outdoor group experience as measured by accrual of points for behavior suggests that both approaches are effective, with group counseling having the greater impact. Also, younger subjects appear to profit more from both group counseling and outdoor group experience. The absence of significant change reflected by standardized instruments creates two questions. Are available instruments normed on basically normal groups appropriate for use with such a unique group of subjects as those in this study? Also, does the intense resistance these subjects demonstrated toward all pencil-and-paper activities negatively affect the accuracy of results from these standardized instruments?

nÃo hà / A proposta dessa pesquisa foi procurar compreender como os discursos sobre o feminino sÃo construÃdos e negociados em um grupo psicoterÃpico no contexto de um serviÃo de saÃde mental. Como tambÃm conhecer que discursos sÃo produzidos pelas mulheres nas trocas conversacionais no grupo, como o grupo confere sentido ao feminino, Ãs relaÃÃes de gÃnero e ao lugar da mulher na famÃlia, na sociedade e no contexto do grupo e no ambiente do CAPS. Procuramos compreender de que forma as mulheres descrevem, avaliam e legitimam o mundo feminino e que termos utilizam para afirmar ou recusar tal mundo e em que circunstÃncias. TambÃm procuramos identificar que aÃÃes estÃo sendo produzidas a partir desse conversar terapÃutico e como as prÃticas do feminino no grupo estÃo atravessadas por relaÃÃes de poder. Para essa pesquisa, lanÃamos mÃo principalmente de uma psicologia social discursivamente orientada, alinhada à epistemologia construcionista social, focalizando o modo como as mulheres participantes do nosso estudo dÃo sentido ao ser mulher. Neste enquadre epistemolÃgico compreende-se o mundo social como uma construÃÃo coletiva e privilegiam-se as diferentes formas de interaÃÃo e linguagem que histÃrica e culturalmente constroem o conhecimento do mundo. Os principais autores utilizados nesta pesquisa foram: Margaret Wetherell, Jonathan Potter, Benedito Medrado, Nigel Edley, Kenneth Gergen, Emerson Rasera, Carla Guanaes. Esta pesquisa analisou quatro sessÃes de terapia de grupo que aconteceram no contexto de um CAPS geral do tipo III, com a participaÃÃo de 07 pacientes do sexo feminino. As sessÃes foram transcritas e submetidas a uma anÃlise do discurso. Observou-se a forma como essas mulheres se posicionam diante de diferentes temas que surgem no grupo, a forma como lidam e resolvem dilemas ideolÃgicos e tambÃm identificamos os repertÃrios interpretativos utilizados por elas ao falar do feminino. Nas trocas dialÃgicas percebemos um movimento constante ora de adesÃo, ora de afastamento de versÃes convencionais do que à ser mulher, de agir de modo feminino, contribuindo em alguns momentos para a manutenÃÃo do estado de assimetria de gÃnero, mas em outros, abrindo espaÃo para novas construÃÃes e versÃes mais igualitÃrias de gÃnero.

Research on expressive art interventions for bereavement has burgeoned in recent years. Studies have supported their effectiveness in facilitating participants’ adjustment to loss (e.g., Rosner, Kruse, & Hagl, 2010; Uttley, 2015) and have revealed the frequency with which they are clinically implemented (Thompson & Neimeyer, 2014). Clinicians and recipients of expressive art interventions advocate for their helpfulness in grief processing (e.g., Gamino, 2015). Publications have highlighted particular visual art modules that facilitate adaptive adjustment to loss by providing avenues for self-expression, meaning making and continuing bonds with the deceased (Neimeyer, 2016), but few studies have quantitatively investigated whether they improve bereavement outcomes. Efficacy of treatment modalities are especially warranted for bereaved subgroups at elevated risk for developing symptoms of complicated grief, such as socioeconomically vulnerable older adults, as they are among those most likely to benefit from intervention but face the most barriers to accessible treatment (Ghesquiere, 2013; Newson et al., 2011). This longitudinal study investigated the feasibility and efficacy of a 4-week grief support group with visual art modalities for bereaved older adults residing in government subsidized independent living facilitates in the community. Measured outcomes included meaning made from the loss, continued bonds with the deceased, perceived social support, personal growth, and negative bereavement experiences such as symptoms of complicated grief and depression. Findings from this study support the feasibility and acceptability of implementing an art-based grief support group for socioeconomically vulnerable older adults. Significant improvement was found in meaning made from the loss, personal growth, and negative grief symptoms. Depressive symptoms significantly decreased immediately following completion of the group, but these levels returned closer to baseline levels at one-month follow up. Participants who screened positively for complicated grief at baseline reported greater improvement in their negative grief symptoms and depression, consistent with the extant literature that the bereft in highest distress receive the most benefit from grief intervention. As complicated grief is more prevalent in the older adult population than other age groups, further investigation on the efficacy and effectiveness of targeted bereavement support is warranted.