The function of the new member in an adolescent group

SUMMARY

In this paper we examine, through clinical examples, the impact a new member makes in an adolescent group. We were prepared for the disadvantages we felt would be experienced by the introduction of new members. However, we were clinically and theoretically interested in the way that new members brought extra space to the group, rather than diminishing it.     

Child and adolescent disorders: Issues for psychosocial treatment research

The recent efforts of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to encourage child and adolescent research are described, including the creation of the Child and Adolescent Psychosocial Interventions Research Consortium as a forum to identify, delineate, and examine research needs in psychosocial treatments. This is followed by a summary review of the contents of this special issue: history of psychotherapy research with children, developmental issues, diagnosis and assessment, ecological and cultural validity, laboratory versus clinic research outcomes, cognitive behavioral treatments for childhood disorders, nontraditional treatments, and overview and future directions. Finally, methodological issues that need to be addressed in future research are discussed, such as the developmental level of children in treatment research, issues of comorbidity, family involvement, and duration of treatment.     

Reducing adolescent cell phone usage using an interdependent group contingency

The purpose of this study was to test the effects of an interdependent group contingency on cell phone usage in an alternative high school classroom. We used an ABAB reversal design to test the effects of the contingency on the cell phone usage of the entire class and an individual student. Results showed a reduction in the cell phone use of the class and the individual when the group contingency was in effect, demonstrating a functional relation between the contingency and student cell phone usage. These findings suggest that group contingencies may be efficacious for teachers to use within their classrooms to curb cell phone usage. Further study of this intervention is warranted to determine its generality.     

Listening to the adolescent therapy group

This article reviews traditional psychodynamic views of listening to the manifest and latent content of the patient's communication. It then reviews the literature on the application of such listening in group treatment. The particular application of such listening and intervention in groups for adolescents with significant ego deficits is explored.     

Evaluation of an individualized treatment program for adolescent shoplifters

This paper evaluates an individualized treatment program for adolescent shoplifters. Two hundred eighty-six juveniles charged with shoplifting were randomly assigned to treatment and control groups. Treatment contracts included combinations of fines, community service, monetary restitution, written essays, anti-shoplifting videos, apology letters, and individual and/or family counseling. Results revealed that 88% of the treatment group fully completed their treatment contracts. Furthermore, following intervention, the treatment group was rated significantly higher than the control group on personal responsibility and significantly lower on the likelihood of recidivism. Finally, compared to the control group, the treatment group displayed significantly less recidivism over a two-year follow-up period. Regression analyses revealed that several at-risk background variables were significantly associated with less successful treatment outcomes.     

Issues in the supervision of group psychotherapy: Countertransference and the group supervisor's agenda

Countertransference issues are of particular importance to the beginning group therapist. This paper describes the role of supervision in helping the beginning group therapist deal with counter-transference issues as they effect the formation of a group and the role that the group leader plays in facilitating therapeutic activity within the group. Particular problem areas and the countertransference they evoke and the role of supervision in working through are described.The author wishes to acknowledge the suggestions and support of Aaron Stein, M.D., and other members of the Division of Group Psychotherapy of the Department of Psychiatry of the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine.     

Co-leader termination in an outpatient alcohol treatment group

The termination of a co-leader from a long-term therapy group for alcoholic outpatients is described over a seven-week period from the initial termination announcement to the first week following the co-leader's departure. The authors highlight salient themes and defensive maneuvers that appear as the group struggles with the difficult task of termination. Attempting initially to flee from the impending loss, the group defends with pseudomature responses and veiled hostility. These are followed by themes of abandonment and loss. The group leaders' initial collusion with the group's denial of loss is described, along with leader tactics to facilitate the group's termination work. Finally, the meaning of a group farewell gift is discussed in terms of both its implicit communications and as a form of resistance.     

Issues in engaging high-risk adolescent mothers in supportive work

This paper focuses on the identification of the factors associated with the productive and unproductive use of supportive and therapeutic services by high-risk teen parents. Referral and treatment data were analyzed and discussed, as were two case studies. The importance of family support and family relationships to the use of services is highlighted in both the statistical and clinical data. Treatment implications are discussed.     

Reductions in criminality subsequent to group, individual, and family therapy in adolescent residential and day treatment settings.

The complete population of adolescents in a residential and day-treatment program over a 4-year period, 532 youths, served in two studies. Along with residential and day-treatment settings, predictive variables of interest were the number of hours spent in group, individual, and family therapy. A total of 227 adolescents qualified for Study 1 which found a reduction of rates of criminal charges from pre- to posttreatment. Study 1 also found that hours in group therapy explained the most variance in the reduction in rates of criminal charges, followed closely by hours in individual therapy. Hours in family therapy was not a significant predictor. A total of 430 adolescents qualified for Study 2, which found that residential treatment was associated with greater reductions in adult correctional commitments than day treatment. Implications stress the need for further research examining the relationships between therapeutic components of residential treatment and behavioral outcomes.