If you get better, will I? An actor–partner analysis of the mutual influence of group therapy outcomes.

Abstract

The effectiveness of group psychotherapy has been empirically studied and supported over several decades; however, there remains much to understand regarding the specific factors contributing to effective group psychotherapy. The current study uses Kashy and Kenny's (2000) actor-partner interdependence model (APIM) to examine the relationship between an individual group member's outcome and the outcomes of the other group members. This is the first study to examine the effects of the outcomes of other therapy group members on those of individual members. Specifically, we examined the relationship between an individual group member's presymptom score, the aggregated presymptom scores of the other group members, and the aggregated pre- to postsymptom change of the other group members on an individual group member's pre- to postsymptom change. We analyzed the change in pre-post posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms of 105 women in 16 trauma-informed groups in a women's correctional facility. As hypothesized, an individual's presymptom measure (actor effect) and the aggregated presymptom measures of the other group members (partner effect) were positively related to the individual's change in PTSD symptoms. Contrary to our hypothesis, the aggregated pre-post change in PTSD symptom measures of the other group members (partner effect) was negatively associated with the pre-post change in PTSD symptom measures of an individual group member. Social comparison theory is discussed as an explanation for why a group member would report lowered amounts of change when in a group with others who are reporting a higher amount of change. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

A time-lagged, actor–partner interdependence analysis of alliance to the group as a whole and group member outcome in overweight and obesity treatment groups.

“…In this study, we built on the findings of Paquin et al (2013a) by using the cross-lagged model described earlier to begin to understand the direction and consequences of conformity. Specifically, we hypothesized the following;…”

The Mutual Influence of Therapy Group Members’ Hope and Depressive Symptoms

“…Group members undoubtedly influence one another, but how, in what ways, and under what conditions? The purpose of the current study is twofold: (a) to further examine Yalom and Leszcz’s (2005) proposition that a group member improves through observing and experiencing the improvements of the other group members and (b) to address several limitations of Paquin, Kivlighan, and Drogosz’s (2013) initial investigation of this phenomena. Paquin et al (2013) examined the relationship between a group member’s outcome and the outcomes of the other group members in a sample of incarcerated women.…”

“…The purpose of the current study is twofold: (a) to further examine Yalom and Leszcz’s (2005) proposition that a group member improves through observing and experiencing the improvements of the other group members and (b) to address several limitations of Paquin, Kivlighan, and Drogosz’s (2013) initial investigation of this phenomena. Paquin et al (2013) examined the relationship between a group member’s outcome and the outcomes of the other group members in a sample of incarcerated women. Results suggested a nonsignificant relationship between an individual group member’s and the aggregated other group members’ adjusted posttreatment posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.…”

Eficacia de la Terapia Psicoeducativa Motivacional Breve Dual (TPMB-D) en pacientes hospitalizados con trastorno por uso de sustancias y patología dual

“…Dado que el resultado de los otros miembros se relaciona con el resultado de los miembros individuales del grupo (Paquin, Kivlighan y Drogosz, 2013), constituye una limitación no haber registrado los sujetos que están en los mismos grupos terapéuticos dentro de cada una de las terapias para poder realizar un modelo de múltiples niveles que dé cuenta de la correlación intraclase (Luppi y Boggio, 2006) o un modelo de interdependencia actor-compañero (Kashy y Kenny, 2000) para examinar el proceso de mutua influencia entre los sujetos de cada pequeño grupo en particular. Aunque se supone que esta mutua influencia opera en todo tipo de terapias grupales (Paquin et al, 2013), no podemos saber si interactúa de alguna manera con el tipo de terapia y muestra efectos diferenciales en las dos terapias estudiadas.…”

“…Aunque se supone que esta mutua influencia opera en todo tipo de terapias grupales (Paquin et al, 2013), no podemos saber si interactúa de alguna manera con el tipo de terapia y muestra efectos diferenciales en las dos terapias estudiadas.…”