Curative Factors in Offenders' Groups

Abstract

Curative factors were assessed among therapy groups of offenders experiencing differentially restrictive incarceration, from probation through minimum security and maximum security to a special segregation unit for behaviorally problematic prisoners. Catharsis was highly rated as in earlier studies, while interpersonal learning input was rated at varying levels. Existential awareness was rated much higher than with typical outpatient populations, while cohesiveness was rated lower. The significance of these findings is discussed.

Adolescent Sex Offenders' Rankings of Therapeutic Factors Using the Yalom Card Sort

“…In comparing the adolescent sex offenders with the adult psychiatric outpatient group (Yalom, 1995), it was interesting that nine of the 12 therapeutic factors were equivalently ranked despite the main differences in treatment modalities (inpatient vs. outpatient), age groups (adolescents vs. adults), patient population (neurotic=characterological problems vs. sexual deviance), and patient characteristics (males vs. mixed gendered group). Although surprising, this finding is consistent with accumulating research that demonstrates consistency in the relative rankings of therapeutic factors across divergent patient groups (Bonney, Randall, & Cleveland, 1986;Butler & Fuhriman, 1980, 1983Long & Cope, 1980;MacDevitt & Sanislow, 1987;Randall, 1995;Yalom, 1995). Furthermore, this finding lends support to accumulating evidence regarding the presence and importance of a set of common therapeutic factors which are essential mechanisms for change despite patient characteristics or therapeutic orientation (see Joyce, Wolfaardt, Sribney, & Aylwin, 2006).…”

Principal Components Analysis of Important Goals for Group Work With Male Inmates

“…Five previous studies have explored therapeutic factors in correctional groups with male inmates (Long & Cope, 1980;MacDevitt & Sanislow, 1987;Morgan, Ferrell, & Winterowd, 1999;Steinfeld & Mabli, 1974). However, they were not investigated within the context of understanding the overarching group goals with inmates as perceived by group therapists.…”

Group Therapy Goals: A Comparison of Group Therapy Providers and Male Inmates

“…In the 1960s and 1970s, group work was the predominant modality for inmates (Arnold & Stiles, 1972;McCorkle & Elias, 1960). Much of the research to date has focused on treatment outcomes (e.g., Morgan, Winterowd, & Fuqua, 1999;Serok & Levi, 1993) and therapeutic factors related to group work with inmates (Long & Cope, 1980;MacDevitt & Sanislow III, 1987;Morgan, Ferrell, & Winterowd, 1999;Steinfeld & Mabli, 1974); however, little has been written about inmates' treatment goals.…”