Beyond Cohesiveness

Abstract

Despite a general consensus that cohesiveness promotes positive outcomes in group psychotherapy, the empirical evidence for this notion is limited. In this article the literature on group cohesiveness and its relation to clinical outcomes is reviewed. Three interrelated problems with this literature are highlighted: A lack of consensus as to how to conceptualize cohesiveness, inconsistent measurements of cohesiveness, and lack of attention to possible mediators of the cohesiveness-outcome relationship. The authors argue that the term cohesiveness is too vague and amorphous to be useful as a unitary construct and that the field could benefit by identifying more specific group processes that facilitate—or impede—clinical outcomes. They review social psychological research on group processes, and discuss how three constructs— group identification, independence, and homogeneity—might be applied to the clinical literature. Furthermore, in an attempt to stimulate a closer examination of mediational paths in the literature on group psychotherapy, they discuss possible mechanisms through which group processes affect clinical outcomes.

Reviewing Work Team Design Characteristics Across Industries: Combining Meta-Analysis and Comprehensive Synthesis

“…In comparison, cooperative incentives reward the group as a collective where all team members receive the same reward. Cooperative rewards may unintentionally result in withholding of individual effort due to free-riding and social loafing (Hornsey, Dwyer, & Oei, 2007). Competitive reward structures are therefore more likely to benefit performance when work is independent and competition between individuals will enhance overall productivity, whereas cooperative group rewards may benefit performance more in interdependent teams.…”

Social isolation schema responds to positive social experiences: Longitudinal evidence from vulnerable populations

“…In the first study, we aimed to investigate whether improvements in social isolation schema in group CBT could be accounted for by social identification with the therapy group. Patients who undergo group psychotherapy typically report that group factors (e.g., cohesion, acceptance) are responsible for their symptom improvement (Hornsey, Dwyer, & Oei, 2007;Hornsey, Dwyer, Oei, & Dingle, 2009). Therefore, there is reason to expect that social identification with the therapy group might facilitate change in social isolation schema, in a manner that is not specific to a particular diagnosis.…”

Trauma Severity, Poly-victimization, and Treatment Response: Adults in an Inpatient Trauma Program

“…For example, naturally occurring differences in coping strategies, conflict areas, and interpersonal styles have been found to promote therapeutic change within group members (Yalom and Leszcz 2005). A certain degree of heterogeneity among clients is needed to promote learning through reciprocal feedback, encourage individual self-reflection, and foster the development of alternative coping strategies (Hornsey et al 2007).…”