Developmental group analysis comes of age

Abstract

This initial chapter is the first group-analytic publication that provides a developmental perspective throughout the life cycle; it concisely amalgamates in an integrated fashion the most relevant research findings on life-span psychosocial and peer group development and on group psychotherapy from childhood to old age. The chapter pulls together the other, phase-specific, chapters of this book into a succinct and coherent whole; it is structured in three sections: - The first explores key historical events in the evolution of psychoanalysis and group analysis, which delayed the adoption of a life-span developmental perspective; it reviews relevant literature on the origins of such perspective in the fields of psychoanalysis and attachment. - The second provides an integrated overview of psychosocial, peer group and group attachment development throughout the life cycle; it looks into changes and constancies, continuities and discontinuities, as well as overlaps that occur throughout each developmental stage, from infancy to old age. - The third examines clinical group phenomena that can be present in all different major age groups in the life-span, including children, adolescents, young adults, adults, the late middle-aged and older adults; it also compares the distinct characteristics of each of these age groups, outlining phase-specific issues and developmental tasks, as they find expression in psychotherapy groups. This study comes to the conclusion that group psychotherapy is highly beneficial in all age groups, and that proper knowledge of the psychosocial and peer group developmental stages throughout the life cycle should be an integral part of the training, thinking and clinical work of individual and group psychotherapy practitioners and other mental health professionals. This chapter aims to make its mark in the fields of attachment, human development, psychotherapy and group analysis, as well as encourage practitioners and public to incorporate in their minds a life-span perspective of their life and work.