Differences in men's and women's responses to short-term group psychotherapy

Abstract

The authors examined the role of patient gender in the process and outcome of 2 forms of short-term group psychotherapy: interpretive and supportive. The sample consisted of depressed outpatients who were also experiencing complicated grief after a variety of death losses. Findings indicated that women generally had better outcomes in both forms of group therapy compared with men. In addition, men were less committed to their therapy groups than women and were perceived by other group members to be less compatible than women. This suggests that men may derive less benefit from group psychotherapy than women. This gender effect may be partially mediated by men's lack of commitment to the group and perceived incompatibility with other group members.