The group's absence norm, a construct from the applied psychology literature, was used to examine session absences in personal growth groups. Rather than examining the absence norm statically, we modeled it dynamically as a time-varying covariate (Tasca et al., 2010). We also examined moderation by modeling the interaction of the absence norm and…

Examined relationship between realistic, interpersonal, and here-and-now agendas and group members' in-session behavior and outcome among 24 college students in established personal growth groups. Found that group members who set here-and-now session agendas enacted more in-group intimate behaviors and had better outcomes than did members in…

Examined relationship between group members' (N=36) approach to group sessions and group session climate and relationship between length of time in group and agenda quality. Found average ratings of interpersonal and here-and-now dimensions of agendas were significantly related to average perception of group climate as more engaged and less…

Interpersonal feedback is an important component of most group therapy approaches. This review identifies feedback as a multidimensional rather than a unidimensional construct. The literature is reviewed in terms of acceptance of feedback, effects of receiving feedback, willingness to deliver feedback, and therapeutic effects of delivering…

Examined group participant interpersonal style, group development stage, and endorsement of therapeutic factors. Classified critical incidents forms completed by 36 growth-group members. More affiliative participants emphasized cognitive factors; nonaffiliative participants emphasized behavioral factors. Universality and hope decreased and…

Explored relationship between group members' (n=61) interpersonal problems and their perception of group climate. Found that group members who perceived themselves as too dominant experienced group climate as more avoiding and tense. Those who perceived themselves as too cold and as not having problems with assertiveness perceived group climate as…

Tested hypotheses that clients' perceptions of therapeutic factors depend on the stage of group development and on client individual difference variables, using critical incident reports obtained from 18 participants in three 11-session counseling groups. Results indicated differences in relative importance of therapeutic factors as seen by group…

Performed two studies to examine things unsaid in group counseling. Examined categories of things unsaid, relationships between types of things unsaid, stage of group development, and gender. Found more advice and outside things unsaid during orientation-inclusion stage and more positive feeling and empathic things unsaid during affection-cohesion…