University of Twente Student Theses
Explore the ‘Black Box’ of therapeutic change! : what are possibly benefit-promoting characteristics of groups participating in an online life-review group intervention?
Pelters, Frauke (2015) Explore the ‘Black Box’ of therapeutic change! : what are possibly benefit-promoting characteristics of groups participating in an online life-review group intervention?
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Abstract: | Objectives. Existing literature shows that life-review interventions are effective in reducing depressive symptomatology. However there is still little to nothing known about the processes that lead to such an effectiveness. The present study aimed to find out more about the characteristics of groups attending the course and about how the identities of each participant; the generalized peer (an average of all activities as a peer) and the interactions develop during the course. Methods. Op Verhaal Komen Online is an easy-accessible life-review group course. The analysis of two groups consisted of four subparts: a holistic content analysis; an analysis of the individual identity development; an analysis of the generalized peer and an analysis of the development of the interactions. Results. The analyses revealed a number of commonalities between the groups which can be regarded as general indicators. These are: Homogeneity concerning gender and age; empathy and honesty to each other; great readiness to share texts about memories and experiences; mutual encouragement and the construction of relationships; reflecting, empathetic and relational behaviour as a peer and clear separation of the roles “participant” and “counsellor”. Conclusions. The results can also be partially found in existing literature about processes in a face-to-face group version of OVK. Within this intervention, a good group atmosphere, disclosure to and relations with other participants played a great role, too. The present study was still a bit pioneering because it was a first step to advance research of which processes contribute to the effectiveness of an online life-review group intervention. Furthermore, it adapted existing methods to analyses on group level and developed a new analysis layer, namely the “generalized peer”. The results of this study give hints for future research within the domain of how certain group characteristics and – processes contribute to the effectiveness of an online life-review group intervention. |
Item Type: | Essay (Bachelor) |
Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
Subject: | 77 psychology |
Programme: | Psychology BSc (56604) |
Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/68481 |
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