Abstract
Here and now disclosure was compared to there- and-then disclosure to determine which type of disclosure has the most significant effect on cohesion. The subjects consisted of 45 male and 43 female patients in group therapy at a mental health clinic affiliated with a psychoanalytic training institute. A series of scales and questionnaires were administered to ascertain the subjects' feelings of cohesiveness and their typical style of disclosure in group. The significance of the type of disclosure was then determined. The most important finding was that after rigorous analysis of the two disclosure variables, only here- and- now disclosure maintained its position as a significant predictor of cohesion.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Allen, J. G. (1973). Implications of research in self-disclosure for group psychotherapy.International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 23(3), 306–321.
Berelsen, B., & Steiner, G. A. (1964).Human behavior. New York: Brace & World.
Bergin, A., & Garfield, S. L. (Eds.). (1971).Handbook of psychotherapy and behavioral change. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
Bion, W. R. (1959).Experiences in groups. London: Tavistock.
Braaten, L. J. (1991). Group cohesion: A new multidimensional model.Group, 15(1), 39–55.
Cartwright, D., & Zander, A. (Eds.). (1968).Group dynamics. New York: Harper & Row.
Chelune, G. J. (1978). Nature and assessment of self-disclosing behavior. In P. McReynolds (Ed.),Advances in psychological assessment. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Cozby, P. C. (1973). Self-disclosure, A literature review.Psychological Bulletin, 79, 73–91.
Culbert, S. A. (1970). The interpersonal process of self-disclosure: It takes two to see one. In R. T. Golembiewski & A. Blumberg (Eds.),Sensitivity training and the laboratory approach (pp. 73–79). Itaska, IL: F. E. Peacock.
Ferencik, B. M. (1991). A typology of the here- and-now: Issues in group therapy.International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 41(2), 169–184.
Fitzgerald, M. P. (1963). Self-disclosure and expressed self-esteem, social distance and areas of the self revealed.Journal of Psychology, 56, 405–412.
Flapan, D., & Fenchel, G. H. (1987).The developing ego and the emerging of self in group psychotherapy. Northvale, NJ: Jason Aronson.
Frank, J. (1957). Some determinants, manifestations, and effects of cohesiveness in therapy groups.International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 7, 53–63.
Freud, S. (1921).Group psychology and the analysis of the ego. New York: Collyer Books.
Gross, N., & Martin, W. E. (1952). On group cohesiveness.American Journal of Sociology, 57, 546–564.
Gruen, W. (1965). A contribution toward understanding cohesiveness in small groups.Psychological Reports, 17, 311–322.
Halverson, C. F., Jr., & Shore, R. E. (1969). Self-disclosure and interpersonal functioning.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 33, 213–217.
Hoffman, S. C. (1981).The effects of initial structure and a group member's willingness to disclose on actual self-disclosure and group cohesiveness. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. Notre Dame University.
Johnson, D. L., & Ridner, L. R. (1974). Self-disclosure, participation, and perceived cohesiveness in small group interaction.Psychological Reports, 35, 361–362.
Jourard, S. M. (1971).Self-disclosure: An experimental analysis of the transparent self. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
Kirshner, B. J. (1976).The effects of experimental manipulation of self-disclosure on group cohesiveness. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Maryland.
Kuppersmith, J. H. (1975).The relative effects of here- and-now versus there- and-then self-disclosure upon personality and cohesiveness in marathon-encounter groups. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Mississippi.
Meadow, P. W. (1988). The maturation sequence.Modern Psychoanalysis, 13(2), 235–261.
Ormont, L. (1962). Establishing the analytic contract in a newly formed therapeutic group.British Journal of Medical Psychology, 35, 333–337.
Ormont, L. (1968). Group resistance and the therapy contract.International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 18, 147–154.
Ormont, L. (1988). The leader's role in resolving resistances to intimacy in the group setting.International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 38, 29–46.
Ormont, L. (1992).The group experience: From theory to practice. New York: St. Martin's Press.
Panyard, C. (1973). Self-disclosure between friends: A validity study.Journal of Counseling Psychology, 20, 66–68.
Query, W. T. (1964). Self-disclosure as a variable in group psychotherapy.International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 15, 107–115.
Raisman, A. R. (1981).The effects of specificity, demand, and risk-taking disposition on early group interaction and cohesion. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Kentucky.
Rosenthal, L. (1987).Resolving resistance in group psychotherapy. Northvale, NJ: Jason Aronson.
Simonson, N. R., & Bahr, S. (1974). Self-disclosure by the professional and paraprofessional therapist.Journal of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, 42, 359–363.
Slife, B. D., & Lanyon, J. (1991). Accounting for the power of the “here- and-now”: A theoretical revolution.International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 41(2), 145–168.
Spaulding, D. L. (1980).Empathy, degree of client's verbal participation, and client self-disclosure in group therapy. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Catholic University of America.
Spotnitz, H., & Meadow, P. W. (1976).Treatment of the narcissistic neuroses. New York: Manhattan Center for Advanced Psychoanalytic Studies.
Strean, H. (1972).The experience of psychotherapy. Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow Press.
Taylor, D. A., & Altman, I. (1966). Intimacy-scaled stimuli for use in studies of interpersonal relations.Psychological Reports, 19, 729–730.
Yalom, I. D. (1975).The theory and practice of group psychotherapy (2nd ed.). New York: Basic Books.
Yalom, I. D. (1985).The theory and practice of group psychotherapy (3rd ed.). New York: Basic Books.
Yalom, I. D., & Rand, K. (1966). Compatibility and cohesiveness in therapy groups.Archives of General Psychology, 15, 267–275.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Roberta L. Slavin, Ph. D., is a psychoanalyst in private practice. She is founder and director of the Midlife Center in Spring Valley. This study was presented at the 50th Annual Conference of the American Group Psychotherapy Association, February 20, 1992, in New York City. The author wishes to express her gratitude to Drs. Richard Alperin, Gordon Bear, and Peter Schlachat for their help and encouragement.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Slavin, R.L. The significance of here- and-now disclosure in promoting cohesion in group psychotherapy. Group 17, 143–150 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01419673
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01419673