Therapeutic Factors at the Beginning of the Intervention Process in Groups for Men Who Batter

Abstract

This study aims to identify which therapeutic factors supported members in their commitment to a group for abusive men. Seventy-one members of therapy groups for men who batter were asked to rank therapeutic factors based on how they experienced the relative importance of these factors in their experience at the beginning of the group process. Findings indicate that at this stage, abusive men place greater importance on cognitive aspects that correspond to a process of self-understanding and awareness of their problem, whereas the interactive and emotional aspects of the group experience appear less significant. Results are discussed in terms of members’ characteristics and purposes for these groups.

Endorsement of Growth Factors in Experiential Training Groups

“…The fact that universality was only endorsed by 33.3% of the participants in this study was surprising, particularly given the significance that studies and theories of the beneficial elements of groups ascribe to issues of shared similarities among members (e.g., Holmes & Kivlighan, 2000;Roy, Turcotte, Montminy, & Lindsay, 2005). However, it is important to point out that most of these studies have been conducted on therapy groups.…”

Structure and Initial Validation of a Short Form of the Therapeutic Factors Inventory

“…Despite initial indications of satisfactory psychometric properties of the TFI, the length of the scale represented a major limitation to its use by clinicians and researchers (Roy et al, 2005). In a review of the state of group psychotherapy process research, Greene (2003) noted the TFI's reasonable psychometric properties, face validity, and applicability to a broad range of groups.…”

“…An important issue regarding the assessment of TFs concerns the measurement of the members' perception of the presence of TFs versus the rating of how helpful a certain TF was to the member (Roy, Turcotte, Montminy, & Lindsay, 2005). Johnson and her colleagues emphasize the importance of measuring the perceived presence of the TF itself rather than ranking how helpful a TF is in the group (Johnson et al, 2005).…”

Analysis of the Process in Brief Psychotherapy Group: The Role of Therapeutic Factors

“…Regarding the complexity of the phenomena that occur in intra-and interpsychic groups, it is difficult to identify an absolute hierarchy of therapeutic aspects and, for this reason, the therapeutic factors are differentiated on the basis of different dimensions such as the state of patient regression, the conducting procedures, and the length and the development stage of the group (Butler & Fuhriman, 1983;Roy, Turcotte, Montminy, & Lindsay, 2005;Yalom, 1975). The only existing hierarchy was made by Parloff and colleagues (1988) who attempted to categorize non-specific and specific factors: the first are not related to a theoretical model or the specific technique used by the therapist and the second, conversely, are related to a specific therapeutic model and strategies derived from it (Parloff, 1988).…”