Group Intervention For Individuals Research Articles

Dealing with couple infidelity in romantic relationships: A group intervention feasibility study.

The extent to which group therapy benefits individuals who have experienced couple infidelity remains unexamined. In this study, a brief group intervention for individuals who experienced couple infidelity was designed, and the feasibility of the intervention was evaluated (i.e., acceptability; implementation; measurements' performance and, limited-efficacy testing). The final sample was composed of 20 women and 4 men (M = 29.95 years, SD = 12.3). Twenty-four completed pre and post assessments and 20 of these completed the follow-up assessment. At pre, post, and follow-up, participants responded to a questionnaire packet that included measures of depression, anxiety and PTSD symptoms, relationship self-efficacy, centrality of event, cognitive fusion, and decision to forgive. Also, follow-up interviews were conducted. The closed group intervention consisted of eight 90-min weekly sessions. The group therapy process component was based on solution-focused therapy. Psychoeducation component included mindfulness, reflection on personal values, factors that contribute to infidelity, and forgiveness. Session rating scores indicated an overall high acceptance of the intervention, its contents, and goals. Interview reports showed that dealing with thoughts and emotions, understanding infidelity, and forgiveness were the most helpful contents. Group support and processes were also positively valued. Repeated-measures MANOVA results indicated statistically significant decrease in symptoms, cognitive fusion, and importance of the event, as well as an increase in self-efficacy. Measurement instruments showed adequate reliability. These results indicate that a group treatment may be an alternative format to help individuals deal with psychological consequences of couple infidelity, when couple therapy is not possible.

A preliminary study of collaborative group intervention with recovered peer supporters for eating disorders: Analyses including comparisons between in‐person and online sessions

AbstractAimsThis study aimed to evaluate the impacts of a single‐session group intervention for individuals with an eating disorder that involved collaborations between peer supporters, who had recovered from an eating disorder, and psychological professionals. We also compared intervention effects between in‐person and online settings.MethodsParticipants with an eating disorder were recruited through online platforms and public promotional materials. The inclusion criteria involved individuals who had current eating disorders and were willing to openly share their experiences during the session in which the Reflecting Team method was applied.ResultsThe analysis included 103 participants (75 in‐person and 28 online). We found significant time‐based effects (F(1, 101) = 70.390, p < 0.001, ηG2 = 0.083), which indicated that participants experienced reductions in feelings of isolation, hopelessness associated with their eating disorder, and belief in the incurability of their disorder following the group interventions. No significant differences were observed between in‐person or remote sessions (F(1, 101) = 0.087, p = 0.768, ηG2 = 0.001).ConclusionsOur findings suggest that peer supporters serve as a source of hope for individuals with eating disorders, even within group settings. Furthermore, the similar outcomes across in‐person and online sessions show the promise of remote group sessions as a novel means of support for individuals with eating disorders, regardless of their geographical location. However, future randomized controlled trials of continuous group therapy sessions are essential to confirm their effectiveness.

A cognitive behavioural group treatment for somatic symptom disorder: a pilot study

BackgroundSomatic symptom disorder (SSD) presents challenges to the healthcare system, including frequent medical visits, lack of symptom relief experienced by individuals with this condition, high associated medical costs, and patient dissatisfaction. This study examined the utility of a novel, low-barrier, brief cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) group intervention for individuals with SSD.MethodsParticipants were referred by their mental health providers or self-referral. Each participant underwent a telephone screen and in-person psychological and neuropsychological screen. Two cycles of the CBT-based group (n = 30), each consisting of six weekly two-hour sessions, were facilitated at a large outpatient mental healthcare facility in Ontario, Canada. The final sample consisted of 13 individuals of whom 11 completed the treatment. Clinical outcome measures were administered pre-, mid- and post-group, including the Generalized Anxiety Disorder–7, Perceived Stress Scale–4, Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, Pain Disability Index, Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire, and sections of the Patient Health Questionnaire. Six healthcare utilization metrics were collected from electronic medical records at six months pre- and post-group. Paired samples t-tests were used to examine pre- to post-group differences in participants’ somatic symptoms, psychological functioning, health, and degree of healthcare utilization.ResultsWhen comparing pre- and post- group, we observed reductions in the mean scores for somatic symptom severity, depressive symptomatology, anxiety, perceived stress, and perceived disability related to pain. The change in depressive symptomatology yielded a small effect size (d = 0.30). Further, we observed downward trends across participants’ pre- to post-group healthcare utilization, with small effect sizes observed for hospital admission (d = 0.36), days admitted to hospital (d = 0.47), and inpatient consults (d = 0.42). Differences between pre- and post-group measures of somatic symptom severity, psychological functioning, health, or healthcare utilization did not reach significance.ConclusionsCurrent findings provide support for the potential effectiveness of an abbreviated CBT group for individuals with SSD in reducing psychiatric symptomatology. Further research is recommended, including randomized control trials, cost-benefit analyses, and comparisons between abbreviated versus longer-duration treatment programs for SSD.Trial registrationNot applicable.

A Group Intervention for Individuals With Obesity and Comorbid Binge Eating Disorder: Results From a Feasibility Study.

PurposeA common challenge among a subgroup of individuals with obesity is binge eating, that exists on a continuum from mild binge eating episodes to severe binge eating disorder (BED). BED is common among bariatric patients and the prevalence of disordered eating and ED in bariatric surgery populations is well known. Conventional treatments and assessment of obesity seldom address the underlying psychological mechanisms of binge eating and subsequent obesity. This study, titled PnP (People need People) is a psychoeducational group pilot intervention for individuals with BED and obesity including patients with previous bariatric surgery. Design, feasibility, and a broad description of the study population is reported.Material and MethodsA total of 42 patients were from an obesity clinic referred to assessment and treatment with PnP in a psychoeducational group setting (3-hour weekly meetings for 10 weeks). Of these, 6 (14.3%) patients had a previous history of bariatric surgery. Feasibility was assessed by tracking attendance, potentially adverse effects and outcome measures including body mass index (BMI), eating disorder pathology, overvaluation of shape and weight, impairment, self-reported childhood difficulties, alexithymia, internalized shame as well as health related quality of life (HRQoL).ResultsAll 42 patients completed the intervention, with no adverse effects and a high attendance rate with a median attendance of 10 sessions, 95% CI (8.9,9.6) and 0% attrition. Extent of psychosocial impairment due to eating disorder pathology, body dissatisfaction and severity of ED symptoms were high among the patients at baseline. Additionally, self-reported childhood difficulties, alexithymia, and internalized shame were high among the patients and indicate a need to address underlying psychological mechanisms in individuals with BED and comorbid obesity. Improvement of HRQoL and reduction of binge eating between baseline and the end of the intervention was observed with a medium effectConclusionThis feasibility study supports PnP as a potential group psychoeducational intervention for patients living with BED and comorbid obesity. Assessments of BED and delivery of this intervention may optimize selection of candidates and bariatric outcomes. These preliminary results warrant further investigation via a randomized control trial (RCT) to examine the efficacy and effectiveness of PnP.

Barriers to program completion of a voluntary capacity-building group intervention for individuals living in poverty

ABSTRACTAlthough poverty is a multifaceted social problem perpetuated by structural forces, interventions often require attendance and participation in programs that can be difficult for people experiencing poverty-related barriers. This project utilized secondary data from an evaluation of a 15-session group-based capacity-building intervention (Getting Ahead in a Just Gettin’-By World) to examine predictors of program completion. Results indicated that only lack of interest (inversely) and belief in the possibility of changing the future (positively) were predictive of program completion. No other barriers were significantly associated with completion. Limitations, as well as implications for practice and future research, are discussed.

Development of a psychosocial group intervention for individuals with mild cognitive impairment (innovative practice).

A diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment is associated with an increase in anxiety and depression and a decrease in psychological well-being. Despite this, individuals with mild cognitive impairment may not receive the appropriate support needed to manage the emotional and practical elements of their diagnosis. A psychosocial group intervention based on the 'Recovery Model' was developed in order to meet these needs. Outcome data from a trial of this group intervention indicated it was successful in meeting its aims.

Group intervention for individuals with primary progressive aphasia and their spouses: Who comes first?

Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a neurodegenerative dementia in which language impairment is the first and most dominant symptom. There is a considerable dearth of interventions for PPA although language rehabilitation has made headway in managing the disorder. Thus far, no comprehensive services have been proposed for PPA clients and/or their spouses. This paper describes the first structured group intervention program designated exclusively for people with PPA and their caregivers. This pilot project originates from a clinical service and presents supporting evidence for initiation of a larger study to establish an evidence-based intervention for PPA. A 10-week intervention program comprised working on language activities, learning communication strategies, counselling and education. Outcome measures administered to participants and their spouses before and after the intervention were compared showed improvements in quality of communication and coping skills in the PPA group compared to controls. Qualitative comments from all 10 participants in the active treatment group highlighted the necessity of intervention that is tailored specifically to the PPA population and addresses the needs of both individuals with PPA and their caregivers. All participants in the intervention group contributed to the study and are also co-authors of this paper.

P3‐347: An integrated cognitive rehabilitation multi family group intervention for individuals with mild cognitive impairment and their care partners: Preliminary data

P3‐347: An integrated cognitive rehabilitation multi family group intervention for individuals with mild cognitive impairment and their care partners: Preliminary data

A Pilot Study in Suicide Intervention Training Using a Group Intervention for Patients With Recurrent Suicide Attempts

This article describes psychiatric trainees' reflections regarding their participation in a psychosocial/psychoeducational group intervention for individuals with recurrent suicide attempts. Fourteen psychiatric residents who completed at least one 20-week intervention cycle were given a 15-item questionnaire which consisted of 12 reflective statements rated on a 5-point Likert scale. The questionnaire assessed their perceptions of the training experience and subsequent comfort in managing recurrently suicidal patients. Thirteen residents (93%) completed the survey. Following the training experience, nearly all residents (85%) endorsed feeling more comfortable managing patients with recurrent suicide attempts. Training was perceived as having clinical and educational value and an impact on general practice. Although the intervention was associated with changes in psychiatric residents' perceived comfort in managing patients with recurrent suicide attempts, more rigorous research examining the effects of the intervention on suicidology training is needed.

Investigation of psychological and neuropsychological factors associated with clinical outcome following a group rehabilitation programme

The present study investigated neuropsychological and psychological factors associated with successful treatment outcome following a group intervention for individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI). Participants were classified into two groups (“Clinically Improved” and “Not Improved”) based upon the findings of a previous study (Ownsworth, McFarland, & Young, 2000a). A discriminant analysis was used to predict group membership on three outcome measures (Awareness and Strategy Behaviour indices of the Self-Regulation Skills Interview and the Psychosocial Dimension of the Sickness Impact Profile) between pre-assessment and post-assessment, and between pre-assessment and 6 months follow-up. Neuropsychological factors involved measures of executive functioning and psychological factors were assessed using measures of personality-related denial and coping-related denial. Overall, the results indicated that individuals with impaired executive functioning were most likely to be classified as Clinically Improved on measures of awareness, strategy behaviour and psychosocial functioning. Individuals who deny or minimise their ABI symptoms were less likely to improve their psychosocial functioning following the group intervention. Future research needs to evaluate interventions for enhancing self-regulation skills and improving psychosocial functioning for individuals who employ denial as a main strategy for coping following ABI.

A Description of a Psychosocial/Psychoeducational Intervention for Persons with Recurrent Suicide Attempts

This paper gives a description of a psychosocial/psychoeducational group intervention for individuals with a history of recurrent suicide attempts. The intervention was conceived to reduce the risk of future suicidal behavior and to modify the client's psychopathology. Three features are felt to make the intervention unique from others described in the literature. First, the intervention is targeted at both men and women from an inner-city population who are often underhoused, underemployed, and undereducated. 24 of 48 clients (50%) lived alone, and 24 of those (92%) were living in subsidized housing; 33% lived in supportive housing, and one lived on the street at the time of assessment. 48% had a high-school education or less. Second, the principles of our approach stressed client validation and participation in the development and delivery of the therapy. Our frame of reference was to name ourselves as professionals with a set of skills and access to some kinds of information and clients as the experts on the experience in their lives. Third, the group content incorporated a multimodal approach to meet the varied needs of the clients. Future reports will discuss the empirical evaluation of this intervention; however, the development of specific, targeted approaches for unique individuals with recurrent suicide attempts is clearly needed.