Group cohesion in group-based personal practice

Ulrike Maaß, Franziska Kühne, Daniela Hahn, Florian Weck
2021 Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy  
Background Personal practice (PP) is an integral component of many psychotherapy training programmes. It aims to promote personal and professional growth and is often conducted in a group format (g-PP). Group cohesion is one of the most researched mechanisms in group psychotherapy, but has rarely been studied in the context of g-PP. Aims and method This exploratory study examines the associations between cohesion, satisfaction with g-PP, its impact on personal and professional development, and
more » ... heoretical orientation in a sample of n = 329 German psychotherapy trainees. Cohesion was assessed with the group questionnaire (GQ-D; Positive Bonding, Positive Working, Negative Relationship). Results Overall, participants reported high levels of all outcome variables. Positive Bonding was the strongest predictor of satisfaction with g-PP (β = 0.46, p<.001). While trainees in cognitive behaviour therapy reported significantly better cohesion scores (d≥0.31), trainees in psychodynamic therapy reported significantly higher satisfaction with g-PP and its impact on their developments (d≥0.30). Conclusions Group cohesion appears to be an important factor in g-PP that should be actively promoted by group leaders. However, longitudinal study designs are needed to better understand the emergence of cohesion in g-PP as well as potential moderating factors.
doi:10.1017/s1352465821000369 pmid:34569462 fatcat:n4gq2mp6kzhxldm5vtudyztw4m