Attending Group Therapy Research Articles

COGNITIVE RECONSTRUCTION TO REDUCE ANXIETY IN GRADE VI ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Abstract. This study aims to determine the effect of group therapy with cognitive reconstruction techniques to reduce anxiety in grade VI elementary school students. The subjects in this study were grade VI students, male or female sex, and experiencing anxiety. Data collection methods in this study are through observation, interviews, Discussion Group Forums (FGD), and pre-test and post-test using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS). The data analysis technique used a non-parametric test with the Wilcoxon test. The results showed that there was a decrease in anxiety both qualitatively and quantitatively. Qualitative results indicate that participants can think positively, bolder, more confident, and try to do something happily, while the quantitative results show the value of Z = -2,371 with a significance of p = 0.018 (p <0. 05) on the HARS anxiety scale which means there was a significant difference between the anxiety experienced by participants before and after attending group therapy. Based on the results of the research that has been done it can be concluded that group therapy with cognitive reconstruction techniques can reduce anxiety levels in grade VI elementary school students.Keywords: anxiety, cognitive reconstruction, class VI students, group therapy

Lived experiences of psychiatric patients with mood disorders who attended group therapy facilitated by professional psychiatric nurses.

BackgroundAccording to the World Health Organization (WHO), up to 25% of people worldwide will develop mental health disorders during their lifetime. Patients admitted to acute inpatient units for mood disorders experience emotional distress. Group therapy has the potential to foster the therapeutic change through specific therapeutic mechanisms. Psychiatric nurses working in inpatient units are in a unique position to offer group therapy.ObjectivesExplore and describe stabilised acute psychiatric patients with mood disorders’ lived experiences of group therapy facilitated by psychiatric nurses. Make specific recommendations for psychiatric nurses to facilitate constructive group therapy for stabilised acute psychiatric patients with mood disorders in an inpatient unit.MethodA qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual design was used in the study. A purposive sample of all patients with mood disorders older than 18 years admitted to inpatient units who participated in group therapy was made. Data were collected through conducting phenomenological interviews, observation and field notes. Interviews focussed on the following open question: ‘How did you experience group therapy facilitated by the psychiatric nurses?’ An independent coder analysed the data by using thematic coding. Measures to ensure trustworthiness were applied. The following four ethical principles were adhered to: autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence and justice.ResultsThree themes emerged from this study. Theme 1 entailed the psychological experiences of patients attending group therapy. Theme 2 highlighted the interpersonal experiences of patients. Theme 3 evolved around patients’ experiences outside group therapy. Patients initially experienced attending group therapy as anxiety provoking. However, negative psychological experiences soon transformed into positive psychological experiences.ConclusionThe findings of this study were used to make specific recommendations to facilitate constructive group therapy for patients with mood disorders.

Quality of life in patients with mental and behavioural disorders after application of group therapy

Background: People with mental and behavioural disorders have low satisfaction of quality of life, due to numerous symptoms, as well as poor interpersonal relations, communications skills, low tolerance on frustration.Aim: The aim of this paper was to evaluate whether there has been an improvement in satisfaction with the quality of life after the application of group therapyMethods: The study included 100 patients who attended group therapy, for a period of 6-12 weeks. The instruments used at the beginning and at the end of the treatment were Outcome Questionnaire-45 which measured symptoms distress, interpersonal relations, and social roles, and MANSA questionnaire that measured satisfaction with the quality of life. Results: In total sample (N = 100) there was approximately equal number of women and men (51% vs. 49%). The average age of the subjects was 48.11 ± 7.91. Majority of respondents had depressive disorder (45%). Measuring the mean values obtained on the OQ-45 questionnaire, it was found that after the application of group therapy a significant reduction of the level of dysfunction was achieved. A statistically significant difference was found in the areas of satisfaction with physical and mental health, and the overall score of the MANSA questionnaire.Conclusion: Results show that patients reported lower symptoms distress and higher satisfaction with quality of life after attending group therapy, better interpersonal relations, lower risk of suicidal behaviour and substance abuse. Group therapy is successful intervention which helps patients improve quality of life.

Occupational therapy groups as a vehicle to address interpersonal relationship problems: mental health care users' perceptions

BACKGROUND: This qualitative study set in an acute inpatient psychiatric clinic investigates the efficacy of occupational therapy groups targeting interpersonal relationships, from the clients' perspective. PURPOSE: This study was designed to explore the effect of occupational therapy groups on clients' interpersonal relationships. METHOD: Four, sixty-minute focus groups were used to ascertain the participants' experiences of groups, and the effect of these on relationships. These sessions were audio-recorded and transcribed. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data FINDINGS: This article tells the story of the development of the participants' relationships through the journey of attending group therapy, from the initial struggles in their personal relationships, through the development of insight into these difficulties, the learning of skills and problem-solving solutions, to the application of some of the skills and hope for future relationship development. Four emerging themes are discussed in this article. "We all have relationship problems" outlines the participants understanding of their relationship problems. The second theme "we were given the skills and applied them" describes how group therapy helped them develop further insight and acquire greater relational skills. "I am less demanding now" describes how developing insight and skills have impacted the participants' actual relationships and their hopes for their relationships. CONCLUSIONS: Participants gained significant benefit from group work, on both a personal and a relational level. Group therapy provided a safe place to learn and then practice the skills that participants had learnt. The insights gained into adaptive and maladaptive relationships and participants' interpersonal styles through group therapy assisted participants in strengthening their relationships with group members and others. Despite improved knowledge, insight and skills, participants were not always able to use their skills consistently. One factor that improved their confidence to apply skills was consistent group attendance. Key words: Group Therapy, Acute psychiatry, Interpersonal relationships, practice lessons.

The Effectiveness of Time Perspective Therapy on Reducing Depressive Symptoms

Time perspective therapy is a therapy based on the time perspective theory and it aims to balance the time perspective. Since depressed patients usually have a distorted time perspective, it has been hypothesized that this kind of therapy may help them. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of time perspective therapy on depression symptoms. Eight female depressed patients entered the group therapy and were compared with a control group of eight female patients. Both groups were asked to answer the Beck Depression Inventory in a pretest phase. Then the patients in the experimental group attended group therapy for six sessions. After that, both the groups were asked to answer the same questionnaire in the post-test phase. The results showed that patients who entered the group therapy became significantly better compared with the control group. The findings suggest that time perspective therapy can be effective in reducing depressive symptoms in depressed female students.

Efficacy indicators of four methods in outpatient addiction treatment

Abstract Background In Portugal, as far as we know, there are no recent studies that evaluated the comparative efficacy of therapeutic modalities in addiction problems by reference to a holistic and psychosocial model of effectiveness. Objectives Using a sample of Portuguese patients in outpatient treatment for drug and alcohol abuse, this study aimed to examine if a combined treatment modality (group therapy with individual intervention) had greater overall efficacy when compared to other three types of treatment without group therapy. Methods This is a correlational and cross-sectional study using a convenience sample of patients (N = 254) from an outpatient treatment in the Intervention Service on Addictive Behaviors and Substance Dependence. At the time of data collection, the patients were attending four types of treatment, such as receiving intervention based on individual psychological counseling (n = 66); receiving individual psychiatric counseling (n = 68); receiving both individual psychological and psychiatric counseling (n = 102); and receiving not only individual counseling (i.e., psychology or psychiatry), but also attending group therapy (n = 18). Results Using MANOVA and Wilks’s multivariate test criterion, there was a significant effect of treatment modality on the global efficacy, Λ = 0.88, F(9, 603) = 3.75, p < 0.0001. Examination of mean estimates indicated that patients in a combined therapeutic modality revealed more treatment involvement compared to patients in other therapeutic modalities without group therapy. Discussion The results obtained in this study highlight the importance of integrating interventions in a collaborative way. A combined therapeutic modality, adding group therapy, was associated with positive effects, such as more levels of peer support and involvement in treatment, and increasing the individual’s probability to remain abstinent.

Effects of Voice Therapy: A Comparison Between Individual and Group Therapy

The primary aim of this clinical evaluation project is to study the effect of voice therapy given in the speech-language pathology clinic, as individual and group therapy, as well as finding out some of the reasons for not attending the recommended therapy. All patients visiting the speech-language department during the study period were asked to participate in a clinical evaluation project. The project included filling out the questionnaire Swedish Voice Handicap Index (VHI-11) twice: at their first visit at the clinic, and approximately 1 year later. Depending on the degree of voice problems, the patients were offered either individual or group therapy. The study included 187 patients at their first visit to the clinic and 109 patients at follow-up. All participants completed self-evaluation of voice function with the VHI-11 and separate questions regarding overall voice problems, hoarseness, and vocal fatigue. For the patients who responded to the follow-up survey, statistically significant improvements of self-perceived voice function were demonstrated in individual and group therapy. The improvement between the first visit and the follow-up was found to be of moderate to large effect size, with statistically significant improvements for both patients who attended individual therapy and those who attended group therapy. The most common reason for not attending the recommended voice therapy was lack of time. Individual and group therapy is effective, resulting in improved VHI-11 scores. The magnitude of improvement is similar when comparing individual and group therapy. Patients with higher scores of the VHI-11 were generally recommended individual voice therapy.

Interdependent Group Contingencies Decrease Adolescents' Disruptive Behaviors During Group Therapy: A Practitioner's Demonstration.

Adolescents who have been adjudicated for illegal sexual behavior may receive treatment that requires attending group therapy sessions and classes. For some adolescents, nonsexual problem behavior (e.g., verbal outbursts, noncompliance) interferes with their ability to participate in group treatment. Researchers used a multiple-baseline across groups design with an embedded changing criterion design to evaluate the effects of an interdependent group contingency for decreasing disruptive behavior in adolescents across two therapy groups. Results indicated that the procedure was effective in reducing disruptive behavior emitted by adolescents in group therapy. Measures of social validity indicated that both the therapists and students viewed the overall procedures and outcomes as acceptable. Implications for interdependent group contingencies across diverse populations are discussed.

Socio-Demographic, Clinical Correlates and Predictors of Adverse Outcome in Substance Use Disorder (Sud) Patients Attending the De-Addiction Clinic of a Tertiary Care Hospital in Eastern India

Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is a serious public health problem in India. The present study was planned to study the socio-demographic, clinical correlates and predictors of adverse outcomes in all new patients attending the De-addiction clinic in a tertiary hospital in Eastern India. All new patients visiting the De-addiction clinic were assessed and interviewed. Four groups were made viz Alcohol, Opioid, Cannabinoid and Other SUDs. A total of 200 patients were included in the study, of whom majority were males. A positive family history of substance use was evident in 44.1% of the patients in the Cannabinoid group. The mean duration of use was 180.87 ± 95.64 for the alcohol group, 78.70 ± 66.41 for the opioid group, 94.0 ± 85.70 for the Cannabinoid group, 104.2 ± 79.37 for other SUDs. The most common substance used was alcohol (n=117). Our findings suggest that the initiation of substance use occurs during late teen age years and early 20s in case of Opioid and Cannabinoid group and in case of Alcohol group in their early 30s. In our study, poor social support correlated with family complications, marital complications and social complications. Motivation clearly and significantly correlated with financial, family, marital and social complications suggesting that motivation to leave alcohol/drugs is influenced by these factors. The motivation level influenced follow-up rates with poor to superficial motivation predicting poorer follow up rates. On the other hand good and fair motivation correlated with increased adherence to attending Group therapy. Motivation to leave drugs/alcohol correlated with drop-out &amp; relapse rates with poorer outcomes in form of relapses and drop out related to poor motivation to leave drugs. Financial security in form of employment is critical for adherence to treatment and follow-up rates which in turn influences recovery and rehabilitation. Motivation is cornerstone to relapses and management of motivation enhancement and adherence to treatment can reduce relapses.

Emotional empathy and cognitive styles in psychodynamic group therapy: UAE experience

Background Practice of group therapy has been unexpectedly accepted against the presumption that patients could reject the idea of self-disclosure in the presence of strangers. Objectives The present study was designed to study group psychotherapy experience in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The group cohesion process along the time of therapy was studied. A trial was also carried out to explore the impact of attending such groups on aspects of thinking described as cognitive styles as fears of failure and anger expression, as well as cognitive orientation of emotions and empathy. Patients and methods In the present case–control study, 80 patients (40 males and 40 females) between 19 and 45 years of age with different DSM-IV psychiatric diagnoses were recruited and subdivided into four groups. Each group included 20 patients − 20 males and 20 females allocated to attend group therapy [male group (MGp) and female group (FGp)], whereas the other 20 males and 20 females were allocated into comparative groups not attending group therapy [male comparative (MCm) and female comparative (FCm)]. All groups were further compared with frequency-matched healthy volunteers who served as control groups consisting of 20 males in the MCl group and 20 females in the FCl group. Sharing groups were subjected to clinical psychiatric examination and baseline psychometric assessment using Fear Of Failure (FOF1), Trait Meta Mood Scale (TMMS1), Arabic Anger Scale (AAS1), and Emotional Empathy Scale (EES1). Each patient in the male group (MGp) and the female group (FGp) attended at least 40 sessions in closed groups for 1 year. Group cohesion was assessed monthly using The Group Cohesiveness Scale (GCS) (1–12) for both groups. Psychometric re-evaluation at the end of 1 year was performed for all groups using the same tests − FOF2, TMMS2, AAS2, and EES2. All available scores were subjected to statistical analysis. Results Baseline readings showed statistically significant higher scores of FOF1 and AAS1 in patients compared with controls (P Conclusion Group therapy has been successfully accepted among UAE psychiatric patients, improving their fears about failure and empathy and to variable degree cognitive orientation of emotions but not anger expression.

Is it the unexpected experience that keeps them coming back? Group climate and session attendance examined between groups, between members, and between sessions.

Attending group therapy sessions is necessary for a group member to have a chance at receiving benefit from the intervention. Group members' perceptions of their group's climate has been linked with important group member outcomes, including session attendance. On the basis of the writings of Curran and Bauer (2011), the current study examined group members' longitudinal ratings of session engagement and decomposed them into between-groups, between-members, and between-sessions components. These components were then used to examine the relationship between group members' ratings of an engaged group climate in the previous session and their attendance the following session. Session attendance in 573 group sessions for 91 group members in 14 Taiwanese counseling groups was modeled in a 3-level hierarchical model (sessions within group members, within groups). Contrary to our hypotheses, between-groups, between-members, and between-sessions components of engagement were not related to session attendance. However, there was a significant interaction between the between-members and between-sessions components of session engagement and group size in predicting session attendance. The likelihood of attendance increased when group members who, on average, rated sessions as being low in engagement uncharacteristically rated a previous session as high in engagement. The likelihood of attendance also increased when group members who, on average, rated sessions as high in engagement uncharacteristically rated the previous session as low in engagement. Larger group sizes amplified these effects. Expectancy (dis)confirmation theory is used to explain these results. Theoretical, research, and clinical implications are discussed.

P01-197 - Euthymic bipolar disorder: Are there cognitive dysfunctions?

IntroductionThe presence of cognitive dysfunction in bipolar disorder is well established, but in the euthymic phase appear a few studies that point to the absence of cognitive deficits.ObjectivesAlert to cases of euthymic bipolar disorder with no cognitive dysfunction.MethodsReview of relevant literature and description of a clinical case with psychological tests that assess memory and executive functions.ResultsDescription of a clinical case: FP is a middle age woman, early retired, with a bipolar disorder type 2, which begins at age 30.Her disease has several depressive episodes, and in the last 10 years, she spent most of the days lying in bed and repeatedly resorted to the emergency department for excessive voluntary drug intoxication or simply because she “wanted” to be hospitalized; her husband could not stand this situation. In September of 2009, in addition to the medical and psychological consultations, she starts attending group therapy; over the next 6 months her medication was changed and finally her disease goes into remission.The psychological tests, made at euthymic phase, show’s no significant deficits in verbal memory and executive functions.ConclusionsThis patient has a disease with prolonged course and multiple hospitalizations and drug treatments, but don’t present relevant cognitive deficits, which may point to the fact that cognitive impairment is determined by biological factors.

Therapeutic Factors in Group Psychotherapy: A Study of Egyptian Drug Addicts

The effect of group therapy on substance-dependent patients has been demonstrated in several studies emphasizing the cost-effectiveness of this intervention. However, little research was conducted on how group therapy can help these patients. The objective of this article is to study the therapeutic factors of group therapy among a group of substance-dependent patients and to study the relation between the therapeutic factors of group therapy with these patients and clinical outcome of relapse or continuing abstinence. The study includes 80 patients divided into two groups. Group I includes 40 substance-dependent patients attending group therapy sessions. Group II is a comparison group of 40 substance-dependent patients who did not attend group therapy. Both groups received the same treatment except for group therapy. All subjects were diagnosed according to a structured interview applying the International Classification of Diseases-10th Revision. Fifteen-session group therapy was conducted for Group I, ...

CBT Proves Its Value in an Unusual Setting

CBT Proves Its Value in an Unusual Setting

Feedback to a prototype self-help computer program for anxiety disorders in adolescents

Computer-based therapy is a potential treatment delivery method to help reach many adolescents who have an anxiety disorder but who do not access traditional psychological services. At Macquarie University's Anxiety Research Unit we have developed Cool Teens, a computer-based, self-help program for this audience. The aim of this study was to examine adolescents' presentation ratings, multimedia preferences, and attitudes to a prototype version of the Cool Teens CD-ROM. Nine adolescents who had previously been treated for an anxiety disorder and 13 non-clinical teens used the prototype and completed a feedback questionnaire. Participants rated all multimedia components positively, but showed a preference for live video in some sections. They reported the CD-ROM was easy to use and visually appealing. The adolescents who had previously been through group treatment all reported they would use a program such as Cool Teens either to prepare or to practice following group sessions. Three of these nine participants reported a preference to use a CDROM instead of attending group therapy. We conclude that interactive computer-based cognitive behavioural therapy may be an acceptable method of delivering treatment to some adolescents.

The Wavering Line in the Sand: The Effects of Domestic Violence and Sexual Coercion

Control and power regarding sexuality and fertility challenges many women, especially those involved in abusive relationships. This preliminary study was done to explore the relationship between domestic violence, sexual coercion, and pregnancy. The sample was comprised of community-dwelling women attending support groups for survivors of abuse, and women attending group therapy sessions while housed at a battered woman's shelter. Both questionnaires and focus groups addressed the women's experiences with contraception, sexuality, pregnancy, and domestic violence. Only the qualitative phase of the study, plus demographics from the questionnaires, are presented in this article. The responses suggest that many of the women felt they could not avoid intercourse with their abusers, despite fears of pregnancy. Focus group transcript analysis revealed recurrent themes of problems regarding pregnancy, tactics of abuse, inability to access birth control, and denial and mistrust. This article explores the reality these women face and the thought processes they employ to survive and remain in their relationship. Health care providers can use this information to better understand their clients, to assist them in obtaining and using effective contraception, and to support clients as they make their decisions.

Group Alliance and Cohesion as Predictors of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Treatment Outcomes

Although the alliance between therapist and client in individual therapy is generally considered a significant predictor of treatment success, little is known about how alliance in group therapy affects outcome. We assessed the relationship between group alliance, as measured by the Group Therapy Alliance Scale (GTAS), and group cohesion, as measured by the cohesion scale of the Group Atmosphere Scale (GAS-C) and therapy outcome. Clients were 49 men attending group therapy 3 times per week in a 21-day intensive, residential substance abuse treatment program. Outcome was determined at 30 days after discharge. Although GTAS and GAS-C scores were significantly correlated (r = .66), only group alliance was predictive of client ratings of reduced psychological distress. Neither group alliance nor cohesion was significantly associated with decreased consequences of drug and alcohol use or depressive symptomology.

The Emergence of Psychopathology in a Previously Adaptive Mother-Infant Dyad

A mother and her six-week-old infant began attending group therapy sessions designed to raise awareness of developmental events. The mother consistently displayed a high degree of responsiveness and sensitivity to the infant's needs; in fact, her behavior served as a model of adaptive interaction for the entire group. After six months of sessions, when the infant manifested full-blown weaning patterns, the mother reported symptoms indicating a major depressive episode, such as pervasive dejection and rejection, listlessness, and anxiety attacks. After several individual sessions, during which discussion focused on the etiology of these emotions, the depression remitted and the mother was able to resume previous adaptive interaction designed to promote the infant's development. This case study reveals that highly adaptive parents may be susceptible to depression when developmental events that signify imminent separation from their infants or a similar dramatic change in their relationship occur.

Selection of Controls in Testing for Alcoholism-Reply

In Reply.— It is unlikely that hospital status explained our results, because inpatients in the alcoholism treatment program were ambulatory, and were attending group therapy and physical therapy, as well as participating in a number of other physical activities. Moreover, they walked to the clinical chemistry laboratory to have their blood drawn. The remaining concern of Dr Dufour and Mr Irving is our comparing results from two clinical laboratories that used the same multiple analysis instruments and the same chemistry methodologies, but employed different reference values. We acknowledge that this is a difficult problem and welcome the opportunity to clarify further the rationale for our approach. Clinical laboratories adjust manufacture-suggested reference values to take into account biases and variances inherent in a specific instrument, as well as unique characteristics of their patient population and other situations that might influence laboratory values. These considerations are demonstrated in our study by the

Weight reduction utilizing a protein-sparing modified fast

Forty-five grossly obese patients (averaging 64.1 kg. above ideal body weight) were treated as in-patients with a modified protein-sparing fast. Twenty-seven of these patients had diabetes, sixteen of them requiring insulin. In-patient treatment with PSMF ranged from three days to two years. The dietary regimen provided 1.2 gm. protein per kilogram ideal body weight, with no added fat or carbohydrates; this generally amounted to 270 to 430 gm. meat, distributed in three meals (about 500 to 800 kcal per day). Generous vitamin and mineral supplements were provided. Concomitant psychotherapy was also part of the treatment. Before discharge, the patients had lost from 0.45 to 93.2 kg., depending on compliance, length of hospitalization, and amount of exercise. After discharge, compliance fell, despite provision of group therapy with a psychologist and bi-weekly appointments with the physician and dietitian. The more committed patients who attended group therapy regularly have been more successful in continuing to lose weight.