A comparison of therapeutic factors in two group treatment modalities: Verbal and art therapy

Therapeutic Factors in Adolescents' Groups With and Without Movies

The study explores the therapeutic factors in two types of group interventions--film therapy (n = 69) and affective support therapy (n = 48) for Arab adolescents (ages 13-14) in Israel. Film therapy is a relatively new method for groups, aimed at enhancing adolescents' engagement in the process of group counseling. Six-hundred students from 11 schools were screened for the level of parent-adolescent conflict, based on a self-report measure. The 117 students who met the cutoff point constituted our sample. They were randomly divided into 12 small groups (6 in each type of intervention). A previous study reported the outcomes of these two interventions, showing equal progress in both groups (compared to control). The current study explores process variables, specifically therapeutic factors, in an attempt to enhance our understanding of those outcomes. Results indicated common therapeutic factors across both types of intervention. The factors of relationship-climate and other- versus self-focus were ranked the highest and, contrary to expectations, were significantly higher in affective support therapy than in film therapy.

Members’ Perceptions of Leader Behaviors, Group Experiences, and Therapeutic Factors in Group Counseling

The purpose of this study is to examine the rank order of therapeutic factors, the relationships between leader behaviors, group experiences, and therapeutic factors, respectively, and the regression model between the predictor variables (group experiences and leader behaviors) and criterion variables (therapeutic factors). In this study, 32 college students participated and completed a group counseling program in Taiwan. Results concerning the descriptive statistics and rank orders of the therapeutic factors were examined. Analyses revealed significant positive relationships between leader behaviors and group experiences. In contrast, the relationships between leader behaviors and therapeutic factors varied wildly. Finally, the linear combination of leader behaviors and a group experiences subscale (feeling toward activity) was able to predict therapeutic factors. Based on the findings, suggestions and implications were made for group counseling and future studies.

Guidelines for Art Group Therapy as Part of a Day Treatment Program for Patients with Personality Disorders

Art group therapy has been rated as the most favoured therapeutic element by patients, irrespective of personality type, in a combined group therapy program. In this article we outline the guidelines for such treatment and discuss why patients favour this group.

Art therapy may reduce psychopathology in schizophrenia by strengthening the patients' sense of self: a qualitative extended case report

BACKGROUND

Many forms of artistic expression and art therapy are widely used in psychiatric treatment, but we lack an understanding of how artistic expression may interfere with psychopathology.

METHOD

Art therapy inspired by the Expressive Arts was offered for 1 year to two groups of outpatients. One group consisted of patients with severe schizophrenia and the other group of 5 nonpsychotic psychiatric patients with depression and/or personality disorders. The course of therapy was described systematically, and the experience of each patient was examined using interviews and written evaluations before and after therapy and at a 1-year follow-up. A qualitative analysis was done to determine how art therapy affects the psychopathology of the patients.

RESULTS

The patients used the art therapy in many different ways. The most important benefit of the art therapy was a strengthening of the patients' sense of self. This was accomplished by engagement in the artistic process and by aesthetic reflections on the painted images. The stronger sense of self diminished the tension arising from interpersonal contact, boosting their self-esteem and thereby improving their social competences.

CONCLUSION

All patients reported a very good outcome, and the qualitative analysis showed that the positive effect of art therapy is mainly due to a strengthening of the patients' minimal sense of self.