CLINICAL WORK WITH INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS

This paper attempts to indicate what some of the similarities and differences are in clinical work with individuals and groups. This effort was stimulated by a desire to indicate that neither one extreme of "everything is the same" nor its opposite that "all social work methodology is different" is accurate. The author has used concepts such as relationship, transference, resistance, and group developmental phases among others to explore the potentials and limitations in applying these concepts to clinical work with individuals and groups.     

MODELS OF INTERVENTION IN WORK WITH GROUPS

Three models of social work intervention are presented with a focus on worker-client interaction and the conceptual frame of reference for these models. The essential features and contemporary practices of each model are reviewed, as well as implications for achieving a consistent practice orientation. The reader is asked to locate his/her stance in order to work toward an internally consistent practice in working with groups.     

A STUDY OF SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE WITH GROUPS

This paper presents the second stage of a study on group use in social work in Quebec. The first stage had identified 72 practitioners working with 130 client groups, and 60 of these workers participated in the second stage interview. The interview explored characteristics of social work practice with groups, and studied personal and organizational factors which may influence group use. The findings suggest group use in social work is characterized by a diversity of group goals, client populations and service settings. Most groups are small units formed by the worker. and their membership is closed during the duration of the group which is usually from 8 to 15 meetings. Structure varies, but most groups base program on discussion or structured exercises, and most workers assume a facilitator or therapist role. Despite these commonalities, there appear to be several distinct styles of practice which vary according to type of group goal, role of worker, and theoretical influences on the worker. These styles vary especially in the extent to which the worker takes a central leadership position or shares group tasks with members.     

A MEDIA-BASED PERFORMANCE TEST FOR WORK WITH GROUPS

For rehearsal and educative evaluation of the competence of adult learners in working with groups, participants are rotated through four facets of videotaped role-playing including immediate play back and assessment by self and colleagues. For full involvement in this comprehensive learning process, each participant in turn (1) takes a member role in a 10-minute simulation, (2) uses rating sheets to assess "worker's" performance on selected dimensions of interventive focus, models of group work intervention, and "building blocks" ofsocial work practice, (3) becomes the "worker" with prechosen focus for his/her behaviors in the simulation, and (4) based on the videotaped playback, provides a self-analysis of his/her performance skills.     

SOCIAL WORK WITH GROUPS IN THE GENERIC BASE OF SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE

Social work with groups in generic practice requires more integration of group process theory and group work methodology in relation to two questions: What is important for all social workers to know about groups and group work and when is the group the most appropriate method-of-choice in generic practice? Important premises and knowledge for this practice are the relationship of the individual to the group; the small group as a microcostic social system; and especially, the stages of group development. This knowledge base and the understanding of the "curative factors" or "change mechanisms" in groups is suggestive of the selective use of groups for providing services in generic social work practice.     

THE IMPLICATIONS OF SYSTEM NETWORK FOR SOCIAL WORK WITH GROUPS

The issue with which this paper deals is the implications for group practice of the system network external to, but transacting with, the group. This issue is examined by identifying relevant concepts in group practice theory and extending their application to include extragroup transactions. It is further illumined by on analysis of an experience in group practice. The findings suggest foci for further theoretical development and research.     

CO-LEADERSHIP AND SOLO LEADERSHIP IN EDUCATION FOR SOCIAL WORK WITH GROUPS

No abstract available for this article.     

RELATING THE MAINSTREAM MODEL OF SOCIAL WORK WITH GROUPS TO GROUP PSYCHOTHERAPY AND THE STRUCTURED GROUP APPROACH

No abstract available for this article.     

A STRATEGY FOR THE USE OF STRESS IN SOCIAL WORK GROUPS

This paper argues that group processes produce stress and therefore can be used for learning better coping skills. First, it looks at how stress surfaces in groups, and at some af the variables that will influence how the members can learn from it. Then it examines the various steps involved in a strategy of capitalizing on the existence of stressful situations, and proposes the role of animator as one which can direct workers in carrying out this strategy. The value orientation underlying the role of animator in social work groups is identified and discussed.     

WORKING WITH GROUPS IN THE HUMAN SERVICES

No abstract available for this article.     

SOCIAL GROUP WORK WITH VULNERABLE OLDER PERSONS

This paper discusses the uses of social group work within the developmental model which looks at group life as a microcosm of the world. The author identifies the group as a modality for meeting differential needs of older persons. These needs are explored and some coincidence with the various stages of group development noted. The skills of the group worker are evoked on many levels-including that of making sound professional judgements regarding the appropriate use of the group for helping each individual. Groups for frail elderly persons may focus on one or more purposes.     

CONFLICT AND CONFLICT MANAGEMENT IN WORKING WITH GROUPS

This paper reviews the treatment of conflict in the social work practice with groups literature, examines small group research that has focused on conflict, and identifies five practice principles for conflict management. Conflict in small groups is understood as normal and to be expected. However, unattended it may be extremely dysfunctional to individuals in the group and to group process and progress. The principles of conflict management are proposed as a means of maximizing the functional potential of conflict in the group.     

GROUP WORK WITH DISORIENTED NURSING HOME RESIDENTS

This article presents the goals, rationale, history, and some implementing techniques to help disoriented old-old restore dignity and self worth in a group. The techniques focus on non-verbal helping methods. Validation/Fantasy is based on the following principles: 1) There is reason behind all behavior. 2) Each stage of life has different goals. 3) Goals of severely disoriented aged are to resolve the past. 4) Each human is valuable and unique. 5) The helper must use empathy and genuine human regard, tuning into the goals of the "other." 6) Damage to sensory cells can lead to a gradual blurring of present reality and self-awareness. 7) Early-learned emotional memory replaces cognitive thinking in disoriented aged. 8) Disoriented aged can tap logical thinking centers when they are helped to resolve the past. 9) Validation/Fantasy tunes into the old-old. Some prefer to remain in the past. Some can return to the present. No one formula works for everyone. 10) People who are disoriented and old-old and who cannot return to the outside community deserve to resolve the past and justify their past roles before death.     

GROUP WORK INTERVENTION WITH A MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS POPULATION

In this paper the authors describe and evaluate agroup work intervention program with a Multiple Sclerosis population. The intervetition effort combined group process, cognitive restructuring, modeling and behavior rehearsal. and homework assignments in an attempt to assist Multiple Sclerosis victims reconcile themselves to their illness and lean, to cope with its numerous and varied effects.     

USE OF GROUPS WITH RELATIVES OF DEPENDENT OLDER ADULTS

This paper reviews and analyzes work with several small groups of relatives of older adults who have increased dependency problems due to physical frailty, diagnosed brain diseases, disorganization, memory loss, reduced mobility, depression and other physical and mental changes. Content includes: 1) Usefulness of group approaches with peers led by professionals (social workers, social gerontologists, psychologists) for stresses experienced by the care giving relatives: 2) group objectives including; support giving, understanding the older relatives' problems and behaviors, anticipatory planning for inevitable changes, coping, improved interpersonal functioning, and gaining insight to feelings of both the older person and the care giving relative; 3) group processes deliberately used by workers in the creation, convening, maintenance and termination of these groups; 4) repetitive themes of concern expressed by the care givers and their dependent relatives.     

GROUP WORK WITH ALCOHOLIC,POLY DRUG-INVOLVED ADOLESCENTS WITH DEVIANT BEHAVIOR SYNDROME

Trail-blazing efforts are now underway in social work treatment with adolescents who are involved with both alcohol and other drug abuse and who have been arrested for antisocial acts. These are young people who are caught in a pathological system which is spiraling them deeper and deeper into self-destruction, either by their antisocial acts leading to continuing conflict with the law and often incarceration, and/or to the breakdown of their physical system by the substance abuse. Traditional forms of social casework or psychotherapies are of little use since the young person is likely to deny vigorously that he has a problem and shrink from contact with the helping resources that are available. Whereas a psychodynamic orientation is necessary in order for the worker to provide the degree of understanding of the internal turmoil of these young persons, the focus of treatment must be upon problem solving and a peer support system that can sustain the faltering ego through the social hazards of adolescence and young adulthood. To understand the professional demands of this practice, we will describe the general characteristics of this special segment of today's youthful population, the social-psychodynamic factors involved, and the diagnostic issues raised. Several concepts for clinical practice with these young people will be discussed: enforced treatment, age-related differential planning, and group work as the optimal treatment modality. An actual group work practice situation will illustrate theorerical and technical issues raised in the treatment process.     

PRACTICE PRINCIPLES FOR WORKING WITH GROUPS OF MEN WHO BATTER

Based on a series of working assumptions about men who batter. this article suggests a model of group treatment to effect change in their violent behavior. The model stresses sequential phases and calls attention to thc responsibility to employ safety checks throughout the treatment process in the group.     

CLINICAL ASPECTS OF SOCIAL GROUP WORK WITH THE DEAF

Social Group work with deaf clients is virtually non-existent although there is a need for it in the deaf community. The author describes some of the psychosocial factors that should be considered when working with the deaf, and some of the skills that social workers should have before attempting it. In addition, some of the author's own experiences in working with a group of deaf clients are described and related to the foregoing psychosocial factors.     

GROUP WORK WITH KIN AND FRIENDS CARING FOR THE ELDERLY

The significant roles of kin and friends in caring for the frail elderly necessitates an extension of group services to this population. The rationale for caregiver groups is developed through an examination of gerontological research. A group program and a practice framework for services to kin and friends are presented. Practice issues in running groups entail profound stresses on families and friends and the worker's ability to face thematic and interactional problems of considerable intensity. Guidelines for intervention are specified to handle phase specific situations in these groups.     

THE COMPARATIVE EFFECTIVENESS OF TWO GROUP WORK APPROACHES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF MUTUAL SUPPORT GROUPS AMONG THE ELDERLY

Two major group work approaches were compared on their effectiveness in developing support groups among community based elderly. One approach, Type 1, was based on a discussion, group process type of format with a less structured and less directive leadership style than the Type 2 approach, which was more structured and task oriented, utilizing behavioral role play and analysis to enhance social and supportive skills. Group work participants were assigned to two Type 1, two Type 2, and two control groups. Results clearly suggest that the Type 1 group approach is more effective for the development and maintenance of mutual support groups among the elderly.