Group Therapy Goals: A Comparison of Group Therapy Providers and Male Inmates

Group/Peer Support

May 2021

Full Citation

Morgan, R. D., Garland, J. T., Rozycki, A. T., Reich, D. A., & Wilson, S. (2005). Group Therapy Goals: A Comparison of Group Therapy Providers and Male Inmates. Journal for Specialists in Group Work, 30(2), 159-172. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01933920590926011

Abstract

This study was designed to identify important process and content goals from the perspective of inmates and compare these goals to the goals identified by group therapists in a previous study conducted by Winterowd, Morgan, and Ferrell (2001). Utilizing survey data from 156 incarcerated adult males, an initial confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the factor structure for inmates' goal importance ratings did not precisely mirror the group therapists' ratings in Winterowd et al. A subsequent exploratory factor analysis revealed a five-factor model with the following goals: Self-Exploration and Coping Skills; Group Relationship Building and Cooperation; Substance Abuse; Prosocial Behavior and Healthy Lifestyle; and Institutional Relationships. Overall, these goals match the primary goals identified as important by therapists in Winterowd et al. However, inmates did not appear to draw distinctions between some of the goals identified by therapists. Implications for group therapy with male inmates are highlighted. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)