Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #105290

David E. Pollio, PhD¹, Jennifer McClendon, MSW¹, Carol S. North, MD, MPE², and Edward Spitznagel, PhD³. (1) George Warren Brown School of Social Work, Washington University, One Brookings Dr., Box 1196, St. Louis, MO 63130-4899, (314) 935-7516, depollio@gwbmail.wustl.edu, (2) School of Medicine, Washington University, Department of Psychiatry, 660 S Euclid, CB 8134, Renard Building, Room 2210, St. Louis, MO 63110, (3) Washington University, Campus Box 1196, St. Louis, MO 63130-4899

Introduction: Research on group dynamics has suggested that factors such as group engagement and cohesion play a substantial role in facilitating outcomes. As established models are disseminated into less-controlled community settings, understanding the impact of group-related factors will play an increasingly important role in maintaining effectiveness.

Methods: Participants were in the intervention condition of an RCT testing PERF (PsychoEducation Responsive to Families), a year-long educational multi-family model, conducted in partnership with National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of St. Louis. Each PERF group determined its own curriculum, drawing resources from a standardized manual. Families were eligible regardless of psychiatric diagnosis of their member with illness (FMI). Families were assessed at intake, 12- and 24-months for family burden, impact, positive change, knowledge/mastery, social support, and caregiving attitudes. Group engagement and cohesiveness were measured for group completers only (n=44) using a four-item scale during the first 6 months of PERF. Group engagement and cohesiveness were used to predict change scores between baseline and follow-ups using Hierarchical Linear Modeling controlling for specific group, relationship of group participant to FMI, and FMI illness.

Results: Greater group cohesiveness was associated with increased social support, positive family impact, and decreased burden. Greater group engagement was associated with positive family outcomes.

Discussion: Despite selection bias, results suggest the positive contribution of group processes to achieving outcomes among program participants. Findings affirm previous group dynamics research: group specific factors such as engagement and cohesion are significant when translating clinical group interventions into less-controlled community settings.

Learning Objectives: