Group therapists' training: what predicts learning?

Full Abstract

This field study represents the continuing effort to identify the determinants of learning within experiential small study groups. Thirty-seven training groups from the 1996 Institute of the American Group Psychotherapy Association were studied. Three process measures (Group Relationship Questionnaire [GRQ], Leader Adjective Measure [LAM], and Group Climate Questionnaire [GCQ]) were administered to 434 group members after the first two of four group sessions. Process variables were used to predict learning (measured by the Learning Evaluation Form [LEF]) at the end of the training groups. The factors derived from each of the measures showed good to excellent correspondence with previous studies employing the same instruments. Results suggest that perceptions of the leader and the group, rather than perceptions of one's own relationship to other group members, are more robust predictors of learning in these short-term training groups. Specifically, perceptions of an emotionally engaged group willing to confront conflict, and perceptions of a skillful leader, proved to be significant predictors of learning. Implications for the training of group therapists and group therapy research are discussed.

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Author information

Author/s: Tschuschke, Volker (V); Greene, Les R (LR);

Affiliation: Department of Medical Psychology, Institute of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-Strasse 9, 50924 Cologne, Germany.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: International journal of group psychotherapy (Int J Group Psychother), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-Oct; vol 52 (issue 4) : pp 463-82

Dates: Created 2002/10/11; Completed 2002/11/12; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 12375483, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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