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Exploratory study of factors in group counselling that enhance a sense of connectedness in adolescent girls
Author
Ho, Pamela Lei Kuan
Supervisor
Wong, Eleanor
Abstract
The primary objective of this study was to explore the therapeutic factors at work in group counselling. In particular, the current study investigated which of twelve therapeutic factors (Yalom, 1985) were perceived to be most important to the group members. These factors include altruism, group cohesiveness, universality, interpersonal input, interpersonal output, guidance, catharsis, identification, family re-enactment, self-understanding, instillation of hope and existential factors.
The group consisted of seven 17-year-old Vietnamese scholars from an all-girls mission school in Singapore. They were referred for group counselling by the school principal to the author who was the school counsellor. The main concern was their adjustment to school and life in Singapore, as well as their ability to 'connect' with one another and with their peers. A seven-session group work programme was designed and carried out to help the girls increase self- esteem and improve relationship skills.
To measure the perceived importance of the twelve therapeutic factors, the 60-item Therapeutic Factors Scale (adapted from Yalom, 1985) was administered two weeks after the close of the group work programme. 45-minute interviews were also carried out with each of the group members to explore the reasons behind their patterns of endorsement. From the ratings, the twelve therapeutic factors were ranked according to perceived importance. It was found that 'group cohesiveness', 'intel-persor-;a1 learning (input)' and 'self- understanding' were the most highly endorsed factors. Compared to Yalom's hierarchy (1985), 'catharsis' was found to be ranked lower in this study, while 'altruism' was found to be ranked higher. From the interview data, it was found that the unique characteristics of the population - in particular, culture - exerted a significant influence on the endorsement of therapeutic factors.
To assess if connectedness was enhanced as a result of group counselling, two instruments were used. The 70-item Connectedness Questionnaire (a combination of three separate tests by Lee & Robbins, 1995; Rude & Burnham, 1995; Singelis, 1984) explored a stable and global sense of connectedness, while the self-constructed 25- item Group Work Questionnaire assessed the specific group work experience and a more temporary form of belongingness. Both questionnaires were administered before and afier the group process for comparison purposes. The post-test scores for the Group Work Questionnaire were found to be significzntly higher than the pre-test scores. However, as expected, no significant difference in the group means was found for the global sense of connectedness. Other significant findings are also presented and discussed in this study.
A series of correlational tests were also carried out to explore the relationship between the endorsement of therapeutic factors and connectedness. It was found that, in this group, the girls' sense of connectedness did not significantly affect how they endorsed therapeutic factors. Only one significant relationship was found - between 'altruism' and 'neediness'. To explore if the high endorsement of certain therapeutic factors was related to the high endorsement of other factors, correlational tests were carried out. The significant relationships found are presented and implications of these findings are hrther discussed.
The current study sought merely to identt'fy a cluster of salient therapeutic factors for this particular sample. Future research could systematically investigate the reasons behind this pattern of endorsement. Also, hture research could study the effectiveness of individual counselling and larger psychoeducational groups as alternative forms of intervention to enhance connectedness. Longitudinal studies would also provide more information about the influence of stages of group development on the endorsement of therapeutic factors.
The group consisted of seven 17-year-old Vietnamese scholars from an all-girls mission school in Singapore. They were referred for group counselling by the school principal to the author who was the school counsellor. The main concern was their adjustment to school and life in Singapore, as well as their ability to 'connect' with one another and with their peers. A seven-session group work programme was designed and carried out to help the girls increase self- esteem and improve relationship skills.
To measure the perceived importance of the twelve therapeutic factors, the 60-item Therapeutic Factors Scale (adapted from Yalom, 1985) was administered two weeks after the close of the group work programme. 45-minute interviews were also carried out with each of the group members to explore the reasons behind their patterns of endorsement. From the ratings, the twelve therapeutic factors were ranked according to perceived importance. It was found that 'group cohesiveness', 'intel-persor-;a1 learning (input)' and 'self- understanding' were the most highly endorsed factors. Compared to Yalom's hierarchy (1985), 'catharsis' was found to be ranked lower in this study, while 'altruism' was found to be ranked higher. From the interview data, it was found that the unique characteristics of the population - in particular, culture - exerted a significant influence on the endorsement of therapeutic factors.
To assess if connectedness was enhanced as a result of group counselling, two instruments were used. The 70-item Connectedness Questionnaire (a combination of three separate tests by Lee & Robbins, 1995; Rude & Burnham, 1995; Singelis, 1984) explored a stable and global sense of connectedness, while the self-constructed 25- item Group Work Questionnaire assessed the specific group work experience and a more temporary form of belongingness. Both questionnaires were administered before and afier the group process for comparison purposes. The post-test scores for the Group Work Questionnaire were found to be significzntly higher than the pre-test scores. However, as expected, no significant difference in the group means was found for the global sense of connectedness. Other significant findings are also presented and discussed in this study.
A series of correlational tests were also carried out to explore the relationship between the endorsement of therapeutic factors and connectedness. It was found that, in this group, the girls' sense of connectedness did not significantly affect how they endorsed therapeutic factors. Only one significant relationship was found - between 'altruism' and 'neediness'. To explore if the high endorsement of certain therapeutic factors was related to the high endorsement of other factors, correlational tests were carried out. The significant relationships found are presented and implications of these findings are hrther discussed.
The current study sought merely to identt'fy a cluster of salient therapeutic factors for this particular sample. Future research could systematically investigate the reasons behind this pattern of endorsement. Also, hture research could study the effectiveness of individual counselling and larger psychoeducational groups as alternative forms of intervention to enhance connectedness. Longitudinal studies would also provide more information about the influence of stages of group development on the endorsement of therapeutic factors.
Date Issued
1999
Call Number
BF637.C6 Ho
Date Submitted
1999