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.

[1]  L. Dornheim,et al.  Group Approaches in Substance Abuse Treatment , 2004 .

[2]  Randall E. Basham,et al.  A Data Visualization Procedure for the Evaluation of Group Treatment Outcomes Across Units of Analysis , 2002 .

[3]  W. Miller,et al.  Treating Addiction: A Guide for Professionals , 2011 .

[4]  P. McNicoll.  Social Work with Groups , 2010 .

[5]  Psychoeducational groups: A model for choosing topics and exercises appropriate to group stage , 2000 .

[6]  A. Baker.  Treating addiction: a guide for professionals , 2013 .

[7]  I. Yalom,et al.  The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy , 1971, Mental Health.

[8]  Linda L. Edwards.  The Psychoeducational Approach , 1984 .

[9]  G. Distefano,et al.  The Paradigm Developmental Model of Treatment , 2007 .

[10]  A T McLellan,et al.  Substance Abuse Treatment , 2011 .

[11]  S. Lapham,et al.  Prevalence of psychiatric disorders among persons convicted of driving while impaired. , 2001, Archives of general psychiatry.

[12]  Janice L. DeLucia-Waack,et al.  Handbook of group counseling and psychotherapy , 2004 .

[13]  Debra A. Pender,et al.  Association for Specialists in Group Work: Best Practice Guidelines 2007 Revisions , 2008 .

[14]  K. Reid.  Social Work Practice with Groups: A Clinical Perspective , 1996 .

[15]  N. Kanas.  The theory and practice of group psychotherapy. , 2011, International journal of group psychotherapy.

[16]  M. Macgowan.  A Guide to Evidence-Based Group Work , 2008 .

[17]  Association for the Advancement of Social Work wit.  Standards for Social Work Practice with Groups, Second Edition , 2013 .

[18]  D. Rubenstein.  Rethinking Substance Abuse: What the Science Shows and What We Should Do About It , 2007 .

[19]  M. Leszcz,et al.  The theory and practice of group psychotherapy, 5th ed. , 2005 .

[20]  Michael Seadle.  Measurement , 2007, The Measurement of Information Integrity.

[21]  Teirich Hr.  Theory and practice of group psychotherapy , 1949 .

[22]  D. Deyoung,et al.  An evaluation of the effectiveness of alcohol treatment, driver license actions and jail terms in reducing drunk driving recidivism in California. , 1997, Addiction.

[23]  G. Distefano,et al.  Addressing Co-Occurring Disorders and Other Clinical Issues in a DUI Population , 2010 .

[24]  D. Kivlighan,et al.  Helpful impacts in group counseling: Development of a multidimensional rating system. , 1996 .

[25]  P. A. Vogel,et al.  Perceived Group Climate as a Predictor of Long-Term Outcome in a Randomized Controlled Trial of Cognitive-Behavioural Group Therapy for Patients with Comorbid Psychiatric Disorders , 2009, Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy.

[26]  W. Miller,et al.  Rethinking substance abuse: what the science shows, and what we should do about it. , 2006 .

[27]  S. Lapham,et al.  Psychiatric disorders in a sample of repeat impaired-driving offenders. , 2006, Journal of studies on alcohol.