Abstract
This paper reviews the literature on scapegoating, elaborating on the underlying mechanisms before describing the process of scapegoating as it occurred in a neonatal nurse support group. Illustrative vignettes are used to discuss how scapegoating was used by group members to avoid painful feelings arising from their care of extremely ill infants. Group process is related to the stages of the group's development as feelings were addressed more directly and the need to use scapegoating as a defense decreased.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Allport, G. W. (1954).The nature of prejudice. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.
Beck, A. P., & Peters, L. (1981). The research evidence for distributed leadership in therapy groups.International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 31, 43–71.
Foulkes, S. H., & Anthony, E. J. (1964).Group psychotherapy: The psychoanalytic approach (2nd ed.). London: Penguin.
Gentry, W., Foster, S., & Froehling, S. (1972). Psychologic response to situational stress in intensive and nonintensive nursing.Heart and Lung, 1, 793–796.
Hay, D., & Oken, D. (1972). The psychological stresses of intensive care unit nursing.Psychosomatic Medicine, 34, 109–118.
Johnson-Soderberg, S. (1977). Theory and practice of scapegoating.Perspectives in Psychiatric Care, 15, 153–159.
Kahn, L. S. (1980). The dynamics of scapegoating: The expulsion of evil.Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, and Practice, 17, 79–84.
Marshall, R. C., & Kasman, C. (1980). Burnout in the neonatal intensive care unit.Pediatrics, 65, 1161–1165.
Minuchin, S. (1974).Families and family therapy. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
Oehler, J. (1983). Organizing a support group.Dimensions of Critical Care, 2, 304–309.
Scheidlinger, S. (1982).Focus on Group Psychotherapy. New York: International Universities Press, Inc.
Scully, R. (1981). Staff support groups: Helping nurses to help themselves.Journal of Nursing Administration, 11, 48–51.
Sherman, M. (1980). Psychiatry in the neonatal intensive care unit.Clinics in Perinatology, 7, 38–39.
Shubin, S. (1979). Rx for stress: your stress.Nursing 79, 9, 53–55.
Skinner, K. (1980). Support group for ICU nurses.Nursing Outlook, 28, 296.
Slavson, S. R., & Schiffer, J. (1975).Group psychotherapy for children. New York: International Universities Press.
Stafford, L. L. (1977). Scapegoating: How and why scapegoating occurs.American Journal of Nursing 77, 406–409.
Taylor, F., & Rey, J. (1953). The scapegoat motif in society and its manifestations in a therapeutic group.International Journal of Psychoanalysis, 34, 253–264.
Toker, E. (1972). The scapegoat as an essential group phenomenon.International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 22, 320–332.
Whitaker, D. S., & Lieberman, M. A. (1964).Psychotherapy through the group process. New York: Atherton.
Yalom, I. (1975).The theory and practice of group psychotherapy. New York: Basic Books.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Oehler, J.M., Perault, P.Z. The process of scapegoating in a neonatal nurses' group. Group 10, 74–84 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01469402
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01469402