Hostname: page-component-7c8c6479df-r7xzm Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-03-28T14:53:51.482Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Verbal Participation and Group Therapy Outcome

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

John M. Fielding*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia

Summary

The relationships between patients speaking out and measured outcome were investigated over 18 months in an out-patient group. The parameters of therapeutic progress were derived from the Symptom Check List and individualized repertory grid rating scales. Each patient's verbal participation was compared to that of other group members and to his own participation over other measurement phases. Speaking out phases were associated with more chance of change and improvement, while silent phases were associated with less chance of change and an increased likelihood of negative change. This study demonstrates the use of a relatively non-disruptive measurement model in testing clinical hypotheses in single psychotherapy groups.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © 1983 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Derogatis, L. R., Lipman, R. S., Covi, L., Rickels, K. & Uhlenhuth, E. H. (1970) Dimensions of out-patient neurotic pathology: Comparison of a clinical and empirical assessment. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 34, 164–71.Google Scholar
Fielding, J. M., Mowbray, R. M. & Davies, B. H. (1969) Trial of antianxiety compound—Doxepin (Sinequan). Psychopharmacologia, (Berl.), 15, 134–43.Google Scholar
Fielding, J. M. (1974) Problems of evaluative research into group psychotherapy outcome. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 8, 97102.Google Scholar
Fielding, J. M. (1975) A technique for measuring outcome in group psychotherapy. British Journal of Medical Psychology, 48, 189–98.Google Scholar
Frank, J. D., Nash, E. H., Stone, A. R. & Imber, S. D. (1963) Immediate and long-term symptomatic course of psychiatric in-patients. American Journal of Psychiatry, 120, 429–39.Google Scholar
Fransella, F. & Joyston-Bechal, M. P. (1971) An investigation of conceptual process and pattern change in a psychotherapy group over one year. British Journal of Psychiatry, 119, 199206.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Horney, K. (1950) Neurosis and Human Growth: The Struggle Toward Self-Realisation. New York: W. W. Norton.Google Scholar
Kelly, G. A. (1955) The Psychology of Personal Constructs, Vols. 1–2. New York: W. W. Norton.Google Scholar
Lundgren, D. & Miller, D. (1965) Identity and behavioural changes in training groups. Human Relations Training News, Spring 1965.Google Scholar
Ryle, A. & Lunghi, M. E. (1969) The dyad grid: A modification of repertory grid technique. British Journal of Psychiatry, 115, 1297–304.Google Scholar
Ryle, A. & Breen, D. (1972) Some differences in the personal constructs of neurotic and normal subjects. British Journal of Psychiatry, 120, 483–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Uhlenhuth, E. H. & Duncan, D. B. (1968a) Subjective change with medical student therapists: I. Course of relief of psychoneurotic out-patients. Archives of General Psychiatry, 18, 428–38.Google Scholar
Uhlenhuth, E. H. & Duncan, D. B. (1968b) Subjective change with medical student therapists: II. Some determinants of change in psychoneurotic out-patients. Archives of General Psychiatry, 18, 532–40.Google Scholar
Watson, J. P. (1970a) A measure of therapist-patient understanding. British Journal of Psychiatry, 117, 319–21.Google Scholar
Watson, J. P. (1970b) A repertory grid method of studying groups. British Journal of Psychiatry, 117, 309–18.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Yalom, I. D. (1970) The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy. New York: Basic Books.Google Scholar
Submit a response

eLetters

No eLetters have been published for this article.