Group Processes and Outcomes in Group Psychotherapy: Is It Time to Let Go of “Cohesiveness”?

Hornsey, Matthew J.; Dwyer, Lynndall; Oei, Tian P. S.; Dingle, Genevieve A.

doi:10.1521/ijgp.2009.59.2.267

Cited by 26 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Indeed, traditionally, belonging to social groups has been suggested to threaten people's need for distinctiveness, individuality or personal autonomy (Brewer, ; Codol, ). Corroborating this, Hornsey, Dwyer, Oei, and Dingle () suggested that cohesion in therapy groups may not always foster positive outcomes, because it can be associated with a pressure to conform, at the cost of personal expression and autonomous behaviour (cf. Janis, ).…”

Section: Personal Autonomy and Social Inclusionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Personal autonomy in group‐based interventions

Koudenburg

Jetten

Dingle

2017

Euro J Social Psych

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Marginalized individuals are often caught in a vicious cycle of economic or health problems, a lack of social connection and disempowerment. The present research examines interventions that provide opportunities for social inclusion to break this cycle. Specifically, in two longitudinal field studies, we examined the effect of social inclusion on self‐efficacy and hope in two vulnerable groups, namely, 68 residents in a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre (Study 1) and 48 marginalized adults taking part in activities organized by a community organization (Study 2). Although somewhat counterintuitive, we hypothesized that social inclusion would affect self‐efficacy by fostering feelings of personal autonomy. The hypothesis was supported by results from both studies revealing an indirect effect from social inclusion via personal autonomy on self‐efficacy and hope. The findings are discussed in relation to how group inclusion may stimulate the development of personal autonomy in disadvantaged adults, an important factor in their recovery and mental health.

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Section: Personal Autonomy and Social Inclusionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Corroborating this, Hornsey, Dwyer, Oei, and Dingle (2009) suggested that cohesion in therapy groups may not always foster positive outcomes, because it can be associated with a pressure to conform, at the cost of personal expression and autonomous behaviour (cf. Janis, 1982).…”

Section: Personal Autonomy and Social Inclusionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Personal autonomy in group‐based interventions

Koudenburg

Jetten

Dingle

2017

Euro J Social Psych

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“…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, ; Hornsey, Dwyer, Oei, & Dingle, ). 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.…”

Section: Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Cruwys

Dingle

Hornsey

et al. 2014

British J Clinic Psychol

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Maladaptive schemas are modifiable in short-term therapy or even in community settings. The experience of being accepted and belonging to a social group can challenge a person's deep-seated belief that they are socially isolated. Positive social experiences may act as scaffolding to help socially isolated individuals build new social group memberships. Less positively, social isolation schema can also act as a feedback loop, preventing people from identifying with groups, resulting in a negative social experience that may further embed the schema. Further research is needed to determine how clinicians might facilitate social identification.

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“…As group cohesiveness represents the investments in and commitment to the group by its members, it is a quality that any group formation might develop, no matter its task or focus. In cohesive groups, the members feel engaged and mutually rewarded with a feeling of being uplifted and affirmed after the group meeting (Hornsey et al . 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A prospective study of group cohesiveness in therapeutic horticulture for clinical depression

Gonzalez

Hartig

Patil

et al. 2011

International Journal of Mental Health Nursing

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This study aimed to assess changes in psychological distress and social participation in adults diagnosed with clinical depression during and after participating in a therapeutic horticulture programme, and to investigate if the changes covaried with levels of group cohesiveness during the intervention. An intervention with a single-group design was repeated with different samples in successive years (pooled n = 46). In each year, five groups of 3-7 participants went through the intervention. Data were collected before, twice during, and immediately after a 12-week therapeutic horticulture programme, as well as at 3-months' follow up. Mental health assessments included the Beck Depression Inventory, the State Subscale of Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Positive Affect Scale from the Positive and Negative Affect Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Therapeutic Factors Inventory-Cohesiveness Scale. The analysis of the pooled data confirmed significant beneficial change in all mental health variables during the intervention. Change from baseline in depression severity persisted at 3-months' follow up. Increased social activity after the intervention was reported for 38% of the participants. The groups quickly established strong cohesiveness, and this continued to increase during the intervention. The average level of group cohesiveness correlated positively, but not significantly, with change in all mental health outcome variables.

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Group Processes and Outcomes in Group Psychotherapy: Is It Time to Let Go of “Cohesiveness”?

Cited by 26 publications

References 26 publications

Personal autonomy in group‐based interventions

Personal autonomy in group‐based interventions

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

A prospective study of group cohesiveness in therapeutic horticulture for clinical depression

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