The therapist, the group and I: how therapeutic alliance moderates the effect of group cohesion on outcomes

This study aims to investigate whether the influence of group cohesion on the outcomes depended on the levels of the therapeutic alliance.
Sixteen individuals with a substance use disorder who were undergoing treatment in a therapeutic community responded to therapeutic alliance, group cohesion, craving and outcomes measures after every therapeutic small group session for a period of six weeks. Data analysis was performed using hierarchical linear modeling.
Results indicate that the effect of group cohesion is stronger when there is a high therapeutic alliance between resident and therapist.
Even on group interventions, to enhance group cohesion effects on outcomes, therapists must foster higher therapeutic alliance levels. The findings point out the importance of studying the effect of common factors on outcomes.

Source: Therapeutic Communities: The International Journal of Therapeutic Communities - April 9, 2021 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Sofia Vicente Laura In ês Ferreira Antonia Mar ía Jiménez-Ros Cl áudia Carmo Lu ís Janeiro Source Type: research