The training and importance of relevance in self-directed groups of psychiatric patients

This investigation is concerned with 2 related problems. First, a training method designed to increase the therapeutic relevance of self-directed (SD) groups of psychiatric patients was evaluated. Secondly, the relationship between level of relevance, on the one hand, and group atmosphere, interpersonal risk, and internal control, on the other, was studied. The subjects wore 12 SD groups of psychiatric inpatients participating in a treatment program based on a human relations training approach. The nethodo3.ogy for the first problem required 6 experimental groups to use buzzers as a negative feedback for irrelevance. The 20 SD group sessions were divided into the following 4 time intervals: (a) base rate; (b) buzzers located under the group table; (c) buzzers located on top of the group table; and (d) buzzers removed. Besides for the use of buzzers, the 6 experimental and 6 control groups were under identical conditions. It was hypothesized that the experimental groups would maintain a higher level of relevance during the second, third, and fourth time intervals. The methodology for the second problem required a median split, on the average relevance level for all 12 SD groups regardless of their previous assignment to either the experimental or control condition. The 6 groups with highest average relevance level were referred to as 'relevant' groups -while the lowest 6 were referred to as 'irrelevant' groups. Relevant and irrelevant groups were compared on group atmosphere, interpersonal risk, and internal control. It was hypothesized that the relevant groups would demonstrate a significantly greater improvement on these 3 variables than would the irrelevant groups. The 3 hypotheses pertaining to the buzzer training effects of the first problem were not confirmed. The experimental and control groups functioned at a similar level of relevance which was relatively low given the theoretical range. The 3 hypotheses pertaining to the second problem were also not confirmed. There were no differences between the relevant and irrelevant groups on group atmosphere, interpersonal risk, and internal control. However, since both relevant and irrelevant groups functioned at approximately the same level of relevance, these hypotheses were not considered to have been given a fair test. Additional findings indicated that the SD groups demonstrated a decline in relevance level and group atmosphere during their group experience. This is opposite to what would be expected from 'good' groups. Nonetheless, the SD groups evidenced significant increases in the pre-post measures of interpersonal risk and internal control. The apparent paradox is discussed in terms of possible differences in therapeutic processes operating within SD groups versus therapist-led psychotherapy groups.Psychology, Department o