Humans tend to be in groups. People behave differently when they are in groups. They feel good about particular group in so far it meets their needs and they fell bad about it so far as it frustrates their needs.

In the present study, we tried to assess the forces acting on the members to remain in the group. The study aims at:

  • Study therapeutic alliance and cohesiveness, as important aspects of the group therapy process.
  • Investigate some aspects of therapeutic change in some group members.
  • Try to make a correlation between therapeutic alliance/cohesiveness and the investigated aspects of group members’ change.

The study was held between the 12th of November 2000 (session No 1) and the 6th of May 2001  (session No 24); i.e. the duration was six months. Study sample consisted of 20 patients with heterogeneous diagnosis according to ICD-10 criteria. Eleven (55%) of them were regularly attending the group for at least 12 of 24 sessions which was the duration of the this study. The rest of the subjects consisted of 9 (45%) patients who irregularly attended the group (attended less than 12 of 24 sessions and for this reason they were excluded from the study.

We found that there was a relationship between the changes in the therapeutic alliance and the nature, depth and the weight of the work in the group sessions.

Regarding therapeutic changes, the patients became less “easy to be influenced” indicating that they became less suggestible in interpersonal relationships. On the other hand, group members endorsed less immature defenses, indicating a more mature coping style, as well as growth due to the therapeutic impact.

On conclusion, the essence of these forces is the group member’s relationships with the group therapist, other group members, trainees and the group as a whole.

 

Citation:

Kamal, A., Soliman, H. and Mahfouz, R. (2002). Psychotherapy Alliance in a Therapy Group. Master’s dissertation, Neurology and Psychiatry Dept., Faculty of Medicine, Minia University.

For complete thesis:

  • Contact Dr. Ahmed Kamal (email: ahmedmkamal201080@gmail.com).
  • Link to Egyptian Universities Library Consortium (here).
  • Visit Minia Faculty of Medicine’s book library.