NCJ Number
130616
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1991) Pages: 218-231
Date Published
1991
Length
14 pages
Annotation
Two approaches to group therapy for adult female survivors of incest are compared in terms of clinical impressions and supporting data on the benefits of each format, as well as individual factors that affect outcome.
Abstract
The interpersonal-process group format focuses on the establishment of group trust and cohesiveness; each member shares their similar experiences. The interpersonal-transaction (IT) approach includes a series of brief dyadic interactions in which group members disclose their feelings about assigned topics. While participants in both group formats made progress through treatment relative to the control group, specific outcome measures and post hoc analyses suggest significant differences. The greatest advantage of the IT format was its greater level of structure. Women who participated in this group evidenced more alleviation of stress over the course of treatment. On the other hand, women who participated in the process format showed significant improvement in social adjustment, while participants in the IT format showed only a trend toward improved social functioning. The process format was more popular among women with previous therapy experience. Individual characteristics which seemed to predict a given response to treatment included level of education, marital status, severity of abuse, and initial level of adjustment. 36 references (Author abstract modified)