Therapeutic Factors in Occupational Therapy Groups

Abstract

A survey was administered to patients and their therapists in an attempt to assess which therapeutic factors were perceived as helpful in occupational therapy groups. The patients' responses were compared to their therapists' for similarities and differences. Both groups highly valued factors of group cohesiveness, instillation of hope, and interpersonal learning. The therapists also valued guidance and identification, which the patients did not. Least valued by the patients were guidance, existential factors, and identification; least valued by the therapists were self-understanding, family reenactment, and existential factors.

Patients' experience of groups in outpatient mental health services and its significance for daily occupations

“…Earlier studies of patients' perceptions have shown that the therapeutic factors most valued by the patients in occupational therapy groups in mental healthcare are a sense of being accepted by others in the group, gaining success in dealing with other people, and hope (10,11). Further factors specific to occupational therapy groups are relaxation, creativity, and enjoyment (10).…”

Theoretical bases of Mosey's group interaction skills

“…Early (1993) devotes several pages to Mosey's discussion of the development of group skills, incorporating an outline of Mosey's (1973) five levels of group skill. During 1982-95, five groups of researchers referred to Mosey's group interaction work in the review of literature for their studies (Howe and McDermott, 1982;Schwartzberg et al, 1982;DeCarlo and Mann, 1985;Duncombe and Howe, 1985;Falk-Kessler et al, 1991). Parten's (1932) concepts of parallel, associative and cooperative play are presented in Willard and Spackman's Occupational Therapy in an outline providing definitions of Parten's terms (Hopkins and Smith, 1993).…”

Therapeutic factors in occupational group therapy identified by patients discharged from a psychiatric day centre and their significant others

“…The reason why it was not identified in the analysis of the statements was probably not that it was absent but rather that it is a subtle phenomenon, intertwined with all the group factors. Falk-Kessler et al (1991) argued that activities provide a common focus around which group members can relate, which facilitates the development of group cohesiveness. Activities (occupational factors) were frequently mentioned as therapeutic by the subjects of this study, which implicitly indicates that cohesiveness was important, but not distinguished as a separate factor [AUTHOR -PLEASE CLARIFY.…”

“…Few empirical studies have been conducted regarding therapeutic factors in occupational therapy groups. Falk-Kessler et al (1991) found that both patients and therapists highly valued group cohesiveness, instillation of hope, and interpersonal learning. Webster and Schwartzberg (1992) hypothesized that there would be a difference in the valuation of therapeutic factors between an occupational therapy group and psychotherapy groups.…”

“…The factors identified by Yalom (1975) have been incorporated into the occupational therapy literature (Falk-Kessler, Momich, & Perel, 1991;Howe & Schwartzberg, 1986;Stein & Tallant, 1988b;Webster & Schwartzberg, 1992). Few empirical studies have been conducted regarding therapeutic factors in occupational therapy groups.…”