Book•
The theory and practice of group psychotherapy
01 Jan 1970-
TL;DR: Yalom as mentioned in this paper described the course of therapy from both the patient's and the therapist's viewpoint in Encounter Groups: First Facts (1973) and Every Day gets a Little Closer: A Twice-Told Therapy (1974).
Abstract: This book first appeared in 1970 and has gone into two further editions, one in 1975 and this one in 1985. Yalom is also the author of Existential Psychotherapy (1980), In-patient Group Psychotherapy (1983), the co-author with Lieberman of Encounter Groups: First Facts (1973) and with Elkin of Every Day Gets a Little Closer: A Twice-Told Therapy (1974) (which recounts the course of therapy from the patient's and the therapist's viewpoint). The present book is the central work of the set and seems to me the most substantial. It is also one of the most readable of his works because of its straightforward style and the liberal use of clinical examples.
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TL;DR: There were positive trends in mental health and social aspects of the outcomes such as positive changes in attitudes towards older people shown as better mutual understanding, decreased stereotyping of older people, and more respect for them.
Abstract: Background: Schools can provide a powerful environment for shared learning among similar age groups as well as different generations. This study aims to explore the literature on the effectiveness and economic aspects of intergenerational interventions among children and young people in terms of academic performance and psychosocial outcomes. Methods: A literature review was conducted to assess current research regarding intergenerational activities and outcomes among young people. The search included English-language publications that reported original data from January 1986 to mid-2014. Studies were published in a peer-reviewed journal with no country restriction. Supplementary searched were conducted and a narrative synthesis was performed. Intergenerational interventions involving older people with dementia were excluded. Results: There were positive trends in mental health and social aspects of the outcomes such as positive changes in attitudes towards older people shown as better mutual understanding, decreased stereotyping of older people, and more respect for them. Better psychological outcomes were found, including reduced anxiety and an improved sense of self-worth. The intergenerational programmes in non-kin relationships also promoted better family relationships. In addition, classroom behaviours were improved among children in need of fostering pro-social behaviours and there was a non-significant improvement in early literacy development. Conclusion: More studies with larger sample sizes and longer term follow-ups are needed to explore the possible transferability of the results to different country contexts. Economic modelling techniques can be more utilised to explore the generalisability of the findings from one to another setting under various scenarios. This would facilitate a more optimal allocation of scare resources by justifying the decision on whether investments in intergenerational activities at a strategic level would be worth pursuing as a public health intervention for a whole society.
30 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a phenomenological study of Narcotics Anonymous in Israel is presented, where various components of the recovery subculture are described: sobriety as an innovation; recovery as a basis for value systems and behavioral norms; the language and rituals of recovery; social situations, role definitions and actions related to recovery.
Abstract: Psychoactive substance addicts usually belong to a drug sub-culture which runs counter to the prevailing culture. Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is considered as a sub-culture of recovery bridging the drug sub-culture and the prevailing culture. Based on a phenomenological study of NA in Israel, certain components of the recovery sub-culture are described: sobriety as an innovation; recovery as a basis for value systems and behavioral norms; the language and rituals of recovery; social situations, role definitions and actions related to recovery. It is argued that NA, as a sub-culture of recovery, serves both as a bridge to society as a whole, and also as a shield from its influence. Since the study was conducted in Israel, it implies the inter-cultural attribute of NA's values, significance and methods.
30 citations
30 citations
TL;DR: The qualitative data revealed mothers' perceptions of specific areas that improved by participating in the group, and the utility of complementary information provided by qualitative and quantitative methods in understanding program impact is noted.
Abstract: Background: Lone-mother led families are at increased risk of psychosocial disadvantage, social isolation and mental health morbidity. Community-based programs are more accessible for families seeking assistance. We examine the experiences of eight lone mothers participating in a larger randomized controlled trial (RCT) of a community-based education/support group program using mixed methods. Methods: A purposeful sample of eight mothers participating in the intervention arm of an RCT of communitybased support/education groups was selected for the qualitative study. Individual interviews asked mothers about themselves and their relationships with their children before and after the group. Interviews were taped, transcribed and content analysis was used to code and interpret the data. Quantitative data collected in the RCT were used to describe these mothers. Results: Mothers participating in the RCT and qualitative study experienced multiple difficulties, including financial and mood problems. These mothers reported that before participating in the group, they had shared experiences of social isolation, stigma, a sense of failure, poor relationships with their children and difficulties with financial management. After the group, mothers identified improved self-esteem, support from other mothers, improved parenting skills and improved communication with their children as outcomes of group participation. Conclusions: The qualitative data revealed mothers’ perceptions of specific areas that improved by participating in the group. The utility of complementary information provided by qualitative and quantitative methods in understanding program impact, as well as the need for broader assistance is noted.
30 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors aim to extend understanding of student counsellors' perceptions of participation in personal development groups during training, and find that safety was a dominant theme in the sense of how the group felt safe for them and also how the safety was threatened.
Abstract: This paper aims to extend understanding of student counsellors’ perceptions of participation in personal development (PD) groups during training. PD participants were invited to record their experiences in relation to these groups over a three month period. The accounts were then subjected to thematic analysis. Safety was found to be a dominant theme–both in the sense of how the group felt safe for them and also how the safety was threatened. These concepts are discussed and lessons the data has offered in terms of good practice in facilitating PD groups during counsellor training programmes are elucidated.
30 citations