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ERIC Number: ED359473
Record Type: RIE
Publication Date: 1990-Dec
Pages: 19
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
A Self-Help Support Group for Undergraduate Psychology Majors.
Behrens, Troy T.
This document notes that the academic and emotional needs of undergraduates planning their futures in psychology are not often addressed. It proposes self-help support groups as a means of alleviating the tension and stress faced by psychology majors. The model for the support group described in this paper is adapted from Yalom's (1985) 11 therapeutic factors in group therapy (installation of hope, universality, imparting of information, altruism, corrective recapitulation of the primary family group, development of socializing techniques, imitative behavior, interpersonal learning, group cohesiveness, catharsis, and existential factors). The formation and functioning of an 11-week self-help group consisting of 11 female undergraduate psychology majors who were in danger of dropping out of the field of psychology is described. Areas discussed include interviewing of potential group members, group rules, open versus closed groups, the life span of the group, the duration of group sessions, group size, and group members' rights. A section on theoretical models notes that the support group was guided by behavioral and person-centered models. Included in this paper are suggestions for the formation of a group; a discussion of group dynamics; and descriptions of specific interventions, processes, and follow-up of participants. The paper concludes with recommendations for future groups and possible research questions. (NB)
Publication Type: Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A