Group Dynamics in Occupational Therapy

A comprehensive set of Q&A flashcards covering Cole’s seven-step group format, OT group dynamics, Yalom’s therapeutic factors, Donohue’s participation levels, OT group types, leadership, protocols, and key theories.

What are the seven steps in Cole’s group format?

Introduction, Activity, Processing, Sharing, Generalizing, Application, and Summary.

What does the Introduction step in Cole's seven-step format require you to do?

Introduce self and group, have members introduce themselves, include a warm-up, communicate expectations, explain the purpose of the group, and give a brief outline of the session.

In Cole's seven-step format, what is emphasized during the Activity step?

Timing of the activity, therapeutic goals, and the physical/mental capacities of members; ensure goals meet most members and adjust for cognitive limitations with more physical/concrete tasks.

What happens during the Processing step in Cole's format?

The group discusses their feelings about the activity, the leader, and each other; nonverbal dynamics like power, conflict, and attraction are acknowledged.

What is the Sharing step?

Each member is invited to share their work experience; acknowledge each contribution; check how the experience was for them; avoid pressuring anyone; sharing proceeds in a circle.

What is Generalizing in Cole’s format?

Identify common themes, patterns, and principles from group responses; note areas of agreement and disagreement and observe group energy.

What is Application in Cole’s format?

Apply general principles to real life; verbalize meaning, relate to daily life and issues, use concrete examples, with limited self-disclosure.

What is Summary in Cole’s format?

Review the group experience, goals, content, and process; emphasize key learning; thank members and end on time.

Who leads an OT group session?

The Occupational Therapist (OT) acts as the Leader of the Group.

What should be considered when designing the Activity in OT group?

Therapeutic goals, member capacities, and cognitive considerations; activities should meet needs of most members and be appropriate to abilities.

When is assessment performed in an OT group?

Assessment is completed for each member prior to starting the group.

How should instructions be delivered in Cole’s format?

Use direct, simple language; ensure understanding; ask for feedback; answer questions before proceeding; materials should be hidden until needed.

Give an example of an Activity used in Cole’s format.

Bingo (as illustrated in the notes).

What is the purpose of Sharing in group dynamics?

To invite each member to share, acknowledge contributions, and maintain a supportive environment without pressuring members.

What is the difference between Group Process and Group Content?

Process concerns interpersonal relationships and how the group functions; Content is what is done and said (the activities and topics).

Name a few of Yalom’s therapeutic factors.

Interpersonal learning, catharsis, group cohesiveness, self-understanding, universality, instillation of hope, altruism, family reenactment, imparting information, imitative behaviors, existential factors.

What is Catharsis in Yalom’s factors?

Sharing feelings and experiences and releasing emotions.

What is Group Cohesiveness?

A sense of belonging, trust, support, and closeness among group members.

What is Interpersonal Learning in Yalom’s factors?

Learning about and from others in the group; developing awareness of others and correcting misinterpretations.

What is Universality in Yalom’s factors?

Recognizing that others share similar feelings and problems; realizing one is not alone.

What is Instillation of Hope?

Receiving reassurance and optimism from observing others’ improvement.

What is Altruism in Yalom’s factors?

Helping others within the group and offering support.

What is Family Reenactment in Yalom’s factors?

Guided opportunity to re-enact family dynamics to learn and change rigid patterns.

What is Imparting Information?

Learning about health, illness, or disability through discussion with other group members.

What is Imitative Behaviors?

Observing others’ behaviors and applying positive ones to one’s life.

What are Existential Factors?

Aspects related to the human condition, such as acceptance of pain and death and recognizing life isn’t always fair.

What is Donohue’s Parallel Participation level?

Carrying out activities in the presence of others with supportive but minimal interaction; awareness of others.

What is Donohue’s Associative Participation?

Brief verbal and nonverbal interactions; some cooperation; task-focused with limited interaction outside the task.

What is Donohue’s Basic Cooperative Participation?

Task-oriented group where members express ideas, follow group rules, and work toward mutual task completion.

What is Donohue’s Mature Participation?

Group members balance task completion with social and emotional needs; members teach, learn, and mentor; participatory leadership.

What are the four OT group types?

Functional groups, Activity groups, Task groups, Social groups.

What is a Client-Centered Group in OT?

Client-centered practice where the client’s needs and perspective guide decisions; respect for clients and families; client participation; flexible services.

What are Group Norms?

Standards of behavior within the group reflecting its values; can be difficult to change.

What are Group Boundaries?

Flexibility or rigidity of boundaries; closed vs. open membership; similarity or heterogeneity of members.

What are Group Roles?

socially defined expectations for behavior; examples include task roles (Initiator, Information seeker, Information giver, Elaborator, Coordinator, Orienter, Evaluator-critic, Energizer, Procedural technician, Recorder) and maintenance roles (Encourager, Harmonizer, Compromiser, Gatekeeper/Expediter, Standard-setter, Observer, Follower).

How can group cohesion be enhanced?

Frequent group meetings, highlighting similarities, constructive competition between groups, and clear norms and goals.

What is a Group Protocol?

An intervention plan for a specific client population outlining goals, theory, focus, evidence, session outlines, and evaluation strategies.

Which theories are commonly used in OT group interventions?

Cognitive Disabilities, Cognitive Behavioral, Psychodynamic, Model of Human Occupation (MOHO), Developmental, Sensorimotor.

What is Gersick’s Time and Transition Model?

A punctuated-equilibrium model where groups have midpoint transitions; environment influences during design, first meeting, and midpoint.

What is the importance of the first meeting in Gersick’s model?

The initial planning and norms set during the first meeting significantly influence later group functioning; plan for the midpoint transition.

What are some components of ending a group therapeutically?

Review goals and learning, provide feedback, help generalize learning, ensure continuity and follow-up; address separation and loss.

What is confidentiality in group work, and what is countertransference?

Confidentiality involves keeping group disclosures private; transference is clients projecting feelings onto others; countertransference is the therapist’s emotional reaction to the client.