The therapist, the group and I: how therapeutic alliance moderates the effect of group cohesion on outcomes
Therapeutic Communities: The International Journal of Therapeutic Communities
ISSN: 0964-1866
Article publication date: 9 April 2021
Issue publication date: 3 May 2021
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate whether the influence of group cohesion on the outcomes depended on the levels of the therapeutic alliance.
Design/methodology/approach
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.
Findings
Results indicate that the effect of group cohesion is stronger when there is a high therapeutic alliance between resident and therapist.
Originality/value
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.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This work was funded by national funds through FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia – as part the project CIP – Refa UID/PSI/04345/2020.
Citation
Vicente, S., Ferreira, L.I., Jiménez-Ros, A.M., Carmo, C. and Janeiro, L. (2021), "The therapist, the group and I: how therapeutic alliance moderates the effect of group cohesion on outcomes", Therapeutic Communities: The International Journal of Therapeutic Communities, Vol. 42 No. 1, pp. 68-78. https://doi.org/10.1108/TC-09-2020-0020
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited