Understanding Physical and Emotional Sibling Violence: Perspectives From Group Facilitators of Parent Intervention Groups for Child Maltreatment

Physical and emotional sibling violence is a common form of family violence with negative repercussions. Research on the experiences and perceptions of practitioners regarding sibling violence is scant. The researchers interviewed facilitators of parent intervention groups for child maltreatment to understand how sibling violence impacts the families they work with. This exploratory qualitative study examines the perspectives on sibling violence of five group facilitators. An inductive thematic analysis process was used to code the data and develop themes. Five themes emerged from the analysis including Parents lack of knowledge and awareness regarding sibling violence, Stress in parents and the family system, Crossing the line, Individual and developmental aspects, and Mechanisms to help parents address sibling violence. Facilitators identified challenges with definition and assessment of sibling violence, potential contributing factors for the occurrence of sibling violence, as well as strategies to help these families. Implications and future directions are discussed.

A descriptive video analysis of interactions during inpatient brain injury rehabilitation groups

Introduction An advantage of using groups in rehabilitation is the opportunity for peer learning and support. This study aimed to describe and understand the nature of interactions occurring in inpatient occupational therapy brain injury rehabilitation groups, using video-recorded group interactions, to inform recommendations for group facilitation. Method Video recordings of four occupational therapy rehabilitation groups were taken. Twelve adults with brain injury who participated in the groups and four facilitators consented to the study. The data were analysed using a qualitative descriptive approach. Results Interactions were predominantly facilitated by facilitators and shaped by the nature of the group activities. Facilitators used a number of strategies to encourage interaction including knowledge of group participants, activity choice and physical positioning of group members. Conclusion Group facilitators utilise a number of strategies to encourage peer interactions. However, during structured activity-based rehabilitation groups, participants with a brain injury may focus predominantly on achieving the goal of the group rather than initiating peer interactions.

Global Social Witnessing: An Educational Tool for Awareness-Based Systems Change in the Era of Global Humanitarian and Planetary Crisis

‘Global social witnessing’ was originally proposed by Hübl and Ury (2017) and was developed as a practice of “contemplative social cognition” (Singer et al., 2015). Though ‘global social witnessing’ is applied in various contexts by group facilitators of contemplative practice (Cmind, 2014), the concept has not yet been subjected to thorough research and has not yet arrived at a common scientific understanding and definition, which needs to be addressed throughout the research methodology of applying this concept. This paper aims to propose ‘global social witnessing’ as an educational tool for awareness-based systems change by highlighting its philosophical and psychological foundations in search of its ethical implications for bearing witness, a term often used in psychotherapy (Orange, 2017). This body of work draws on Emmanuel Levinas’s philosophy of relational responsibility, and focuses on transformative, systemic learning. As a consequence, this exploration will hopefully generate further research questions that can serve as focal points for interdisciplinary projects of awareness-based systems change (e.g., philosophy, sociology, psychology, education, neuroscience, and physics).

Implementing an Action Over Inertia Group Program in Community Residential Rehabilitation Services: Group Participant and Facilitator Perspectives

Introduction: A time-use focused intervention, Action Over Inertia (AOI) designed to address restricted activity patterns and support recovery, was adapted for use in Australian community residential mental health services.Method: Qualitative case study research explored the use of AOI groups across three Community Care Units from the perspectives of group participants with enduring mental illness and group facilitators. Fifteen interviews were conducted: five group participants were interviewed twice 4 weeks apart, and five group facilitators on completion of the group intervention. Interview data were analyzed thematically using constant comparative methods.Findings: Two overarching themes, “Making Change” and “Facilitating Change” were identified. Efforts to make change in their lives were supported by participants recognising the value of personally meaningful activities for well-being and of activity experiences that fostered hope and recovery, whereas a sense of “stuckness,” time for activities and life events could disrupt “getting me going.” For the facilitators, facilitating change involved recognizing inertia as a challenge; getting people going; and looking at how AOI intervention works to impact inertia.Conclusion: AOI in a group format supports participants to identify barriers to more active living; to appreciate how time-use and well-being interrelate; and to reframe and take steps to overcome inertia. Further research should evaluate AOI groups as a means of providing individualized support for activity re-engagement as part of recovery oriented mental health rehabilitation.

Determinants of cohesion in smallholder farmer groups in Uganda

Cohesion is a fundamental determinant of performance in farmer groups in which collective action is pursued for the benefit of the members. The study examined the influence of individual members’ objectives, participation culture, group rewards, structure of tasks and perceived equity on cohesion of farmer groups that can promote access to agricultural extension services. Quantitative data were collected from 180 members of 19 farmer groups using questionnaires selected in a multi-stage process that combined purposive and random sampling. Qualitative data were gathered from 20 key informants in oral interviews and three focus group discussions. Regression analysis indicated that there were statistically significant negative relationships between individual members’ objectives, structure of the tasks, group reward system and cohesion of farmer groups. In contrast, perceived equity had a statistically significant positive relationship with cohesion in farmer groups. We recommend that, for sustainability of group cohesion, group facilitators work with the farmer groups to ensure alignment of group and NAADS institutions and performance indicators. A group dynamics perspective to understanding farmer group cohesion should be a helpful organizing principle.

A Comparative Effectiveness Study of a Shortened Trauma Recovery Empowerment Model and an Attachment-Informed Adaptation

Relational challenges often associated with interpersonal trauma may hinder survivors’ abilities to fully benefit from group therapy. This quasi-experimental study compared clinical outcomes of a 16-week version of the Trauma Recovery and Empowerment Model (TREM) for women and an attachment-informed adaptation (ATREM). Prior findings of TREM are extended by demonstrating that both group conditions can facilitate comparable clinical outcomes, creating options for group facilitators. Only ATREM resulted in statistically significant improvement in individual attachment avoidance, and it trended toward a slightly higher completion rate. This study provides insight into the emerging concept of group attachment.

The Power of Group Dynamics

Much has been written about the power of group dynamics. This chapter reviews empirically supported groups for children and adolescents impacted by separation and divorce. Children and adolescents bewildered by the chaos associated with separation and divorce can suffer from the impact of loss, interparental conflict, and changes in family dynamics. Psychoeducational separation/divorce groups for children and adolescents can help children normalize the separation process and feel supported by peers and group facilitators. Group work has the potential to be transformative by allowing children and adolescents to share their mixed feelings related to the separation. This chapter reviews existing group approaches and shares strategies shown to be effective in helping children of all ages better understand and make sense of their new worlds. The chapter considers the importance of parallel group work for parents where feedback is provided to them about their child’s experiences. The hallmark of this family systems approach is that it enlightens parents caught up in their own conflict to be better attuned to their children’s needs and adjustment problems, thereby adding to the supportive framework for helping children and adolescents better cope with the impact of their family transitions.