Effects of content and timing of structuring interventions on group therapy process and outcome.

Abstract

The effects of content and timing in the presentation of structuring were assessed using group therapy clients at a university counseling center. Using group development theory, two content areas, anger and intimacy, and two developmental periods, storming and norming, were identified for study. Handouts describing these contents were matched (i.e., anger handout given during the storming phase) or mismatched (i.e., intimacy handout given during the storming phase) with the group's developmental phase. Matched Content X Timing interactions resulted in more comfort in dealing with intimacy, more appropriate expressions of intimacy and anger and fewer inappropriate expressions of intimacy, more congruence between self-ratings and other ratings of interpersonal style, and less interpersonal rigidity. The predicted Content X Timing interaction did not occur for comfort in dealing with anger, fewer inappropriate expressions of anger, and self-rated change. Implications for research and practice are discussed. 363

Does group climate mediate the group leadership–group member outcome relationship? A test of Yalom's hypotheses about leadership priorities.

“…Some early studies suggested that therapist structure should be sequenced, with initially high levels of structure being reduced as the group develops (e.g., Kinder & Kilmann, 1976). Recent studies suggest structure should be changed, not reduced, as groups develop (Kivlighan & Jauquet; Kivlighan, McGovern, & Corazzini, 1984). Summarizing across these studies, it appears that a positive leadership style and leader structuring are associated with more cohesive–engaged and less defensiveness–conflicted group climates.…”

Ruptures and Repairs in Group Psychotherapy: From Theory to Practice

“…The stage of group development is likely going to impact the interventions leaders try and the ones that are successful. Kivlighan et al (1984) found that when leaders focused on conflict and the group was just beginning, it was less helpful than when the group was in the storming stage. Helping members engage in discussions of conflict is not as useful when members are getting to know one another.…”

Interpersonal circle inventories: Pantheoretical applications to psychotherapy research and practice.

“…McCullough and Carr (1987), in a single-case analysis of psychotherapy with a dysthymic disorder patient, used a circle inventory to demonstrate a decrease over the course of therapy in the patient's original peak hostile-submissive interpersonal pattern (as well as a simultaneous increase in the patient's friendly-dominant nadir behaviors) with the therapist. Kivlighan, McGovern, and Corazzini (1984), in an evaluation of timed and structured intervention information in group psychotherapy, demonstrated that group members' peak styles decreased over therapy and their nadir styles increased, as determined from external observers' circle inventory ratings.…”