Abstract
This paper reviews the two major approaches to the assessment of therapeutic factors in therapy groups: 1) questionnaires administered at termination, and 2) postsession Critical Incident reports. The major categories will be discussed, and a new study utilizing Critical Incident methodology reported which replicates previous results. Suitable studies will be reanalyzed from the standpoint of the change in therapeutic factors over time as a group develops. It is recommended that the Critical Incident methodology be further refined and used in preference to the questionnaire approach.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Beck, A. P. (1974). Phases in the development of structure in therapy and encounter groups. In D. A. Wexler & L. N. Rice (Eds.),Innovations in client-centered therapy. New York: John Wiley.
Berzon, B., Pious, C., & Parson, R. (1963). The therapeutic event in group psychotherapy: A study of subjective reports by group members.Journal of Individual Psychology, 19, 204–212.
Bloch, S., & Crouch, E. (1985).Therapeutic factors in group psychotherapy. London: Oxford University Press.
Bloch, S., Crouch, E., & Reibstein, J. (1981). Therapeutic factors in group psychotherapy. A review.Archives of General Psychiatry, 38, 519–526.
Bloch, S., & Reibstein, J. (1980). Perceptions by patients and therapists of therapeutic factors in group psychotherapy.British Journal of Psychiatry, 137, 274–278.
Bloch, S., Reibstein, J., Crouch, E., Holroyd, P., & Themen, J. (1979). A method for the study of therapeutic factors in group psychotherapy.British Journal of Psychiatry, 134, 257–263.
Bond, G. (1983). Norm regulation in therapy groups. In R. R. Dies & K. R. MacKenzie (Eds.),Advances in group psychotherapy: Integrating research and practice. New York: International Universities Press.
Butler, T., & Fuhriman, A. (1983). Level of functioning and length of time in treatment variables influencing patients' therapeutic experience in group psychotherapy.International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 33, 489–505.
Eckert, J., Biermann-Ratjen, E., Tonnies, S., & Wagner, W. (1981). Heilfaktoren in der gruppenpsychotherapie.Gruppenpsychotherapie und Gruppendynamik, 17, 142–162.
Lieberman, M. A., Yalom, I. D., & Miles, M. B. (1973).Encounter groups: First facts. New York: Basic Books.
MacKenzie, K. R., & Livesley, W. J. (1983). A developmental model for brief group therapy. In R. R. Dies & K. R. MacKenzie (Eds.),Advances in group psychotherapy: Integrating research and practice. New York: International Universities Press.
MacKenzie, K. R., & Livesley, W. J. (1984). Developmental stages: An integrating theory of group psychotherapy.Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 29, 247–251.
Macaskill, N. D. (1982). Therapeutic factors in group therapy with borderline patients.International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 32, 61–73.
Maxmen, J. S. (1973). Group therapy as viewed by hospitalized patients.Archives of General Psychiatry, 28, 404–408.
Rohrbaugh, M., & Bartels, B. (1975). Participants' perceptions of ‘curative factors’ in therapy and growth groups.Small Group Behavior, 6, 430–456.
Tuckman, B. W. (1965). Developmental sequence in small groups.Psychological Bulletin, 63, 384–399.
Wiener, M. (1974). Genetic versus interpersonal insight.International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 24, 230–237.
Yalom, I. D. (1985).The theory and practice of group psychotherapy (3rd ed.). New York: Basic Books.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
MacKenzie, K.R. Therapeutic factors in group psychotherapy: A contemporary view. Group 11, 26–34 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01456798
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01456798