Group Process Analysis

Group Process Analysis Amy Salomone, Jennifer Fye, Laura Giannone, Mary Murray, Michelle Orzel Wayne State University SW 4010

Group Process Analysis Introduction

The early stages of group development are extremely important. These beginning sessions help the social worker gain understanding of how the individuals interact, as well as how the group functions as a whole. In the early sessions, the group is able to grow; introductions are made, purpose is determined, ground rules are set, goals are established, and a plan is set up for how to achieve those goals. Our group is a family unit. It is composed of a mother and three teenage daughters; they are coping with the death of her husband and their father. The social worker is able to make an appropriate assessment of the group, determine the groups dynamics, clarify the impressions based on what has transpired in the group, thus far, and will be able to help establish a plan of action. Assessment These first group sessions were very important for the development of the group. According to Toseland and Rivas (2012), in regards to the beginning sessions of a group, The workers primary goals are to help members to feel comfortable in the group, to work together in a cooperative and productive manner, and to feel that their unique contribution to the group is respected and appreciated (p. 199). Paraphrase over quoting The significance of the beginning sessions of group therapy are to make sure all members are feeling comfortable; this will enable them to discuss their concerns freely. Also, in the beginning sessions, the group will be able to begin learning to work together as a whole. These first sessions are, therefore, important in determining how the remaining sessions will progress for this group and for each individual member. It is especially difficult in these beginning sessions for this particular group, because they are a family and already know each

Group Process Analysis

other. These types of groups are more likely to continue communicating with each other as they have always interacted. The family members in our group needed these beginning stages in order to feel like they were an essential part of the group and not as if they would be overlooked. It was also important to establish the purpose of their group as soon as possible. According to Toseland and Rivas (2012), When members are not clear about the purpose of the group or the motives of the worker, their anxiety increases and they are less likely to become involved in working toward group goals (p. 203). This makes the beginning phase of their group sessions even more significant, in that, it will determine just how much each member will be willing to participate in the group, and how cooperatively they will work with the others in order to reach their collective goals. Goals are a key task in the beginning sessions of every group, and although this group had difficulty in coming together to determine their goals, they were eventually able to agree to mutual objectives. Another reason these first sessions were so significant to the development of this group was the goal setting process that took place. According to Toseland and Rivas (2012), Defining goals clearly helps both workers and members focus on what they are attempting to achieve in the group. Developing clear goals is a prerequisite for entering the middle stage of group work (p. 215). Same as previous comment This takes place during the beginning phases of the group work process because it was significant to the development of the group. The proceeding sessions would have had no clear purpose had the family not set goals. In this particular group the family that is requesting therapy has set a goal to better communicate with each other, as well as having the family work together so there is less strife in the household. The group was able to make a positive change in regards to its development as a result of these beginning group sessions. With the help of the social worker, the group was able to

Group Process Analysis

formulate several ground rules and guidelines that helped in the growth of the group. Although these rules and guidelines were created through much conflict and negotiating, they were eventually able to compromise and come together to agree on what would be best for the family. This will help them to be able to progress further through the phases of the group process. Good Group Dynamics evident in sessions Heading is not APA This groups dynamics have been determined prior to the start of therapy, as the group is a family. It is the familys hope that the current dynamics of the group will change. In these early sessions, the family has communicated by yelling and not listening to each other; however, some strides have been made. They are now beginning to negotiate and work together. This is growth and maturation within the group, and it is a positive change for the future communication patterns of the family. Norms are behaviors that are typical of an individual. A norm for the daughters in this family is they curse often. When this occurred in session, no one seemed to be bothered or taken aback. A norm presented by mom is to watch the daughters fight and then ask for help from the social worker. Another norm is the daughters have set up a norm of disagreeing with each other about any topic that arises, no matter what their stance may be. According to the textbook norms and roles are similar. Roles, or the expectations that the family members share for one another, was discussed during the early sessions. The roles the daughters have created for themselves are as follows: the eldest daughter plays is the the mean one the middle sister plays the role as the provocative one, the youngest is the obnoxious one. Great examples! According to our textbook, cCohesion is made up of three factors; first, a respect between members as they work toward a task; the family being here together is evidence that this component exists (CITE THE TEXT HERE). Next, a sense of solidarity, so the group is seen as

Group Process Analysis

a whole, it is evident that this unity has been broken as evidenced by the arguing and strife. Lastly, a sense of cooperation and collaboration is also needed for a cohesive group. In the early sessions, the daughters seemed to work as a team against their mother; however, as the sessions progressed the family was able to begin compromising together for the greater good of the group. The social workers goal for facilitation of group is to give cues and direction to help the climate to become safer for each person. The climate during group was aggressive and wrought with conflict. Although, still hostile, the family has begun to communicate in a way that all members feel they can be heard. Impressions Through the group sessions it is clear the family is in need of a long-term therapy. There have been unpleasant patterns and roles that each member has contributed to the session, which has caused much tension and animosity amongst one another. The daughters are unruly and have very little respect for one another, as well as the lack of respect for their mother, who seems to have lost all control of her children. All family members seem to be severely impacted by the death of their father and husband, but they are all expressing it very differently. Insightful Through much facilitative confrontation the family members blame one another for each others behavioral issues. The social workers role is to try and tune in to the entity of the family by viewing the family as a whole. The worker first views each family member separately to understand them individually, then looks at them as a dynamic system in which the behavior of each member affects, and is affected by, the behavior of the others as well as by the family culture. The social workers intent is to meet the common needs of family while respecting the individual needs of each member. The worker tuned in to the potential feelings and concerns of the family members, and was sensitive to the fact that they had just recently lost their father and

Group Process Analysis

husband. The worker began to explore the impact this tragedy has had upon the family unit, as well as ways the family could cope with these issues more effectively. Plan of Action The plan of action for this group will focus mainly on communication and interaction patterns, and group cohesion. These two areas seem problematic and may prevent the members from achieving their goals. In this group, it would be beneficial for the worker to encourage and help develop groupcentered interaction. If the worker wishes to facilitate the development of group-centered interaction, then they need to modify the familys communication patterns or establish positive communication patterns (Toseland & Rivas, p. 74year). Since the family is having problems with effective, respectful, communication this could be extremely beneficial. Cueing and reinforcing helps encourage effective communication. Cueing involves gestures and words that signal members to talk more or less; whereas, reinforcing may involve supportive comments, eye contact, selective attention, and smiling (Toseland & Rivas, p.74). This could be useful when the daughters try to gang up on each other, this will prompt only one person to talk instead of the chaotic conversation that dominates the sessions currently. Furthermore, the worker would want to evaluate social integration and influence. Social integration is affected by three concepts roles, norms, and status (Toseland & Rivas, p.82). In this group the worker may want to pay particular attention to group norms. There are several strategies the worker can implement to change the norms of this group. The worker needs to identify, evaluate, and discuss group norms with group members. Then change the undesirable or counterproductive norm by directly intervening, or deviating from the established norm (Toseland &Rivas, p.84). Through out this process group members will be made aware of their

Group Process Analysis

norms and how to evaluate them. VERY good plan of action! Shows some thought in to what was right and wrong in the group. Conclusion In closing, significant group development takes place during the early stages of group work. The family came into group with established norms and relationships amongst the family unit; however, through the group work process they were able to work together to establish goals and create guidelines to which they could all agree. This was not the case before attending group therapy. Although this seems unimportant it is actually a significant event to which the family can build and grow as a result. Good point Through use of skills and the plan of action the social worker can help the family to create a more cohesive family unit where they can communicate and work together as a whole. What skills would create a more cohesive family unit where they communicate and work together as a whole?
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Group Process Analysis

References Toseland, R. W., & Rivas, R. F. (2012). An Introduction to Group Work Practice (7th Edition ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.