The Use of Purpose in On-Going Activity Groups: A Framework for Maximizing the Therapeutic Impact

ABSTRACT

This article explores the purposeful use of on-going activity in social group work. It examines the ways in which the group's purposes fluctuate over the group's life, with the activity-oriented purpose taking precedence in beginnings, the personal growth-oriented purpose taking precedence in the middle stage, and both purposes sharing importance in endings. Throughout the paper, illustrations from a co-ed teen ceramics group are provided.     

The Use of Purpose in On-Going Activity Groups: A Framework for Maximizing the Therapeutic Impact

SUMMARY

This article explores the purposeful use of on-going activity in social group work. It examines the ways in which the group's purposes fluctuate over the group's life, with the activity-oriented purpose taking precedence in beginnings, the personal growth-oriented purpose taking precedence in the middle stage, and both purposes sharing importance in endings. Throughout the paper, illustrations from a co-ed teen ceramics group are provided.     

Using the End of Groups as an Intervention at End-of-Life

SUMMARY

Support groups are an effective therapy at end-of-life. Patients with life-threatening illness and caregivers of the terminally ill have benefited from the mutual aid process provided by groups. Mutual aid is fostered by talking about feelings and developing group cohesion. Difficulty discussing the multiple issues of loss faced at end-of-life, including death and dying, can stifle sharing and impede this process. Group endings offer a unique opportunity to symbolically introduce these topics. This article explores the utilization of the group developmental stage of termination when facilitating groups for this population.     

The Group Topic Evaluation Scale: Preliminary Validity,Reliability, and Use in Psychoeducational Groups

Process measures are important for evaluation of client reaction to psychoeducational group topics. Few scales have been created for measuring client responses in this setting. This study utilized secondary data to determine the initial validity of a Group Topic Evaluation Scale. Group members (N = 190) in a large, urban Driving Under the Influence program evaluated six different group topics using a created scale for a total of 623 responses. Principal component analysis found one factor comprising six items with good reliability. Two of the six topics scored significantly higher, indicating more meaningfulness to the clients. Implications are discussed.     

Teaching Social Work with Groups: Integrating Didactic,Experiential and Reflective Learning

Social work with groups can be taught in many ways, with literature identifying the use of didactic and experiential methods to encourage knowledge and skill development, and reflective learning that identifies group concepts as they emerge within the classroom dynamic. This teaching model rather than focusing on one of these methods integrates all three, ensuring that the course is structured and learning is layered in a way that allows the development of the class as a group to create a space of safety from which students can risk new behaviors, integrate knowledge, develop skills, and grow in confidence.     

The Impact of Time and Place on Mutual-Aid Practice with Short-Term Groups

ABSTRACT

This paper aims to help practitioners promote mutual aid to short-term groups. It describes and discusses the impact of time and place on the process of such groups. The challenges of the short-term group are identified and implications for practice are drawn.     

Themes in Group Work with Lesbian and Gay Adolescents

ABSTRACT

Lesbian and gay youth often face severe isolation, growing up in an environment that is frequently ignorant of their unique needs and hostile toward them. Youth groups can serve a vital role in overcoming this isolation in addition to providing a safe space for working out the various problems surrounding the stigma of growing up gay. This article presents several themes in group work with lesbian and gay adolescents based on the author's experience as a group worker at a lesbian and gay youth project. Isolation, coming out, learning/re-learning, and initiation into a community are offered as four main themes which provide a foundation for understanding how to help lesbian and gay adolescents in groups.     

Use of Groups in School Social Work: Group Work and Group Processes

ABSTRACT

A survey of 54 school social workers indicated that they use group work extensively in their practice to address a number of student issues. Cognitive-behavioral theories were most commonly used to guide these groups. Workers rarely identified the use of small group theory as a conceptual framework. Groups were less frequent at the secondary level, and sessions were longer. Family change groups were more common at the elementary level. The method of funding the social work position had no effect on kinds or numbers of groups school social workers facilitated. Respondents did not identify use of small group theory as a conceptual framework, but they addressed group dynamics and group developmental stages. They used activities extensively and adapted published curriculum to meet member needs.     

The Transformation of the Purpose of a School-Based Supervision Group during Tough Economic Times: Challenges and Considerations for the Worker

This article describes the dramatic change in purpose in a group supervision that was faced with an economic crisis. For 7 years the group flourished, providing clinical and emotional support for social work staff and interns. During a time of economic hardship, the program faced the threat of closing, and, in response the group transformed itself from a clinical supervision group to a social-action task group. This article details the trajectory and transformation of the group's focus from clinical supervision to social action with a special emphasis on (1) group supervision, (2) social action, and (3) the concept of purpose in group work. The complexities, consequences, surprises, and rewards of this process, especially for the group worker, are described. The creative use of supervision groups and worker flexibility and self awareness are discussed.     

The Emergence and the Effects of Therapeutic Factors in Groups

ABSTRACT

This article explores the emergence of therapeutic factors in domestic violence men's group, as well as their effects on participants and the group. The authors conducted semistructured interviews with 72 men from groups in Quebec, after their fourth session. Thirty-eight of these men were met again, following their 16th session. A critical incident technique permitted us to identify various therapeutic factors. Three key factors are discussed: imparting information, hope, and cohesion. The authors found different processes influencing their development, particularly the roles of the worker, other members, and the group as a whole. These factors helped members meet their objectives and by their interdependency also contributed to group development. The authors made links with mutual aid and identified implications for research and practice.     

中国现代化进程中的政治发展:历史阶段和主要特点

本文在回顾总结中国现代化历史进程的基础上,对于中国现代化进程的历史阶段进行了划分,揭示了现代化不同历史阶段中政治发展的任务和特点,力求通过对于中国政治发展道路的历史分析,论述我国走中国特色社会主义政治发展道路的必然性。     

论新时期社区弱势群体思想政治工作的创新

创新是新时期加强和改进社区弱势群体思想政治工作的动力之源。我们应以社区建设为主旨 ,在社区弱势群体思想政治工作的观念上创新 ;应以集体主义教育为核心 ,在社区弱势群体思想政治工作的内容上创新 ;应“以人为本” ,在社区弱势群体思想政治工作的方法上创新 ;要适应科学化、现代化要求 ,在社区弱势群体思想政治工作的队伍建设上创新。从而努力开创新局面 ,为切实做好社区弱势群体的帮扶工作 ,促进社区建设 ,维护社会稳定提供强有力的保障。     

Assessing Use of the Standards for Social Work Practice with Groups by School Social Workers: A National Study

The International Association for Social Work with Groups Standards for Social Work Practice with Groups specify the core knowledge, skills, and values needed for effective professional practice. These Standards are intended to serve as a guide to group work practice. The extent to which the Standards inform and are employed in practice, however, remains a question. This article focuses on the extent to which the Standards are utilized by social workers employed within primary and secondary schools. Focus is placed on how the Standards are perceived, understood, and practiced by school social workers.     

壮族麽经布洛陀中的“麽汉皇”与布依族摩经中同类题材文献对比研究

布洛陀经诗是壮族重要的历史文献,有关"麽汉皇"的题材是经诗中重要的组成部分。贵州的布依族与壮族有着非常密切的历史渊源关系,其重要的宗教文献———摩经中也有不少与壮族布洛陀经诗内容相似的成分,摩经中的"安王"与壮族布洛陀经诗中的"汉皇"题材文献在名称、功能、内容、人物等各方面都存在着相同和不同之处。     

Use of Nondeliberative Practice in Groups for Older Adults with Substance Use and Mental Health Disorder: Group in an Art Gallery

ABSTRACT

This article presents an application of Norma Lang’s nondeliberative theory in groupwork with clients of Community Outreach Programs in Addictions (COPA), a Toronto community-based organization that assists adults age 55 and older who struggle with addictions and mental health. The article illustrates how we challenged concepts of group work which are predominantly discussion-based problem solving or premeditated by hosting a group in a major art gallery with clients considered difficult to serve. What was done is juxtaposed with what might have been done with greater knowledge of nondeliberative theory.     

新时期中国城市发展转型研究

1990年以来,中国城市化的内涵发生了转变。中国城市发展战略从过去过度重视中小城镇发展,向以大城市建设为中心、中小城镇协调发展、分工明确、功能互补的新型城镇体系转变。本文认为,中国的具体国情决定了城市化只能走一条大、中、小城市共同发展,数量与质量并重的城市化道路。     

颠覆与建构1990年代以来英文学界中国女性群体形象研究

在当今中国女性研究领域,女性群体形象一直是东西方学界共同关注的主题之一,特别是20 世纪90年代以来西方出现了一批较有分量的研究专著和期刊论文。本文试图对20 世纪90年代以来有关中国女性群体形象的英文研究成果加以评介,并与大陆女性研究进行比较,以期从女性群体形象的角度探讨西方中国女性研究的特点及其与大陆女性研究在理论立足点、学者性别构成、选题等方面的异同。这些女性群体包括：新女性传统女性、才女、家庭妇女职业妇女、贞妇烈女、妓女、农村妇女、女勇士、女尼等。     

转型期社会弱势群体的界定及对策

关注社会弱势群体,是实现社会正义和维护社会稳定的重要体现,也是贯彻"三个代表"重要思想的必然要求.科学界定和合理划分弱势群体,是做好救助工作的基本前提.扶助社会弱势群体,是一项系统工程,其中政府起主导作用.政府应整合各种社会资源,加大社会支持与保障的力度.