The effects of a feedback intervention on group process and outcome.

Abstract

The effects of a feedback intervention directed at both members and leaders was examined in psychotherapy groups held in a university counseling center. Feedback consisted of group climate information using scores from the Group Climate Questionnaire, completed by members after each group session. The direct effects of the feedback intervention were assessed using scores on the Curative Climate Instrument as well as Group Climate Questionnaire subscales. These instruments were administered after each group session. Distal effects of the feedback intervention were examined using member symptom improvement (Outcome Questionnaire) and group attendance. Members and leaders in the experimental condition were given weekly written and graphical feedback and contrasted against comparable groups receiving no feedback. Results indicate the feedback intervention had little impact on the therapeutic factors and outcome. However, for members who reported that the group was high in conflict, the feedback intervention had a significant negative effect on outcome. Implications and directions for future research are examined.

A "Cool Kids" Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Group for Youth with Anxiety Disorders: Part 2, Analysis of the Process and Outcome of Responders Versus Nonresponders

“…The families of the children responding to treatment described several advantages related to therapy conducted in a group format and it has been shown that a perception of the group climate as positive is associated with positive patient outcome (Hoberman, Lewinsohn, & Tilson, 1988;Davies, Burlingame, Johnson, et al, 2008). The group contributed to normalizing children's anxiety, provided with modeling, prompting, reinforcement and heightened mastery, as well as increased opportunities for social experience.…”

“…Parents appreciated the group format, which recent research indicates to be efficacious in the treatment of childhood anxiety disorders (Barrett, 1998;Silverman, Kurtines et al (1999);Flannery-Schroeder & Kendall, 2000;Manassis, Mendlowitz, Scapillato et al, 2002), even though the mechanisms underlying the effects of group therapy are not yet very clear (Davies, Burlingame, Johnson, et al 2008). In the following section issues related to the therapy format are examined as they may have contributed to changes observed in parents and children.…”

Coming Together to Calm the Hunger: Group Therapy Program for Adults Diagnosed With Anorexia Nervosa

“…Although the empirical evidence for the effectiveness of group psychotherapy is strong (Burlingame et al, 2003;Chen & Mallinckrodt, 2002;Davies, Burlingame, Johnson, Gleave, & Barlow, 2008), the mechanisms underlying these effects are less clear. "The debate about the existence and operation of unique therapeutic factors for group therapy has a continuous, complex, and contradictory history in the professional literature" (Bernard et al, 2008, p. 464).…”

“…Group-level-process feedback serves to establish and maintain norms (Davies et al, 2008;, particularly with regard to the role of interpersonal feedback. For example, in an AN group, members receive feedback on how their secretiveness impacts the other group members.…”

“…Receiving and giving feedback from other members is an important condition for change (Davies et al, 2008;Johansson & Werbart, 2009). When clients compare perceptions, begin to identify perceptual distortions, and examine their recurring interactional patterns, interpersonal learning often occurs (Chen & Mallinckrodt, 2002;Holmes & Kivlighan, 2000).…”