DEVELOPMENT OF A TOOL TO MEASURE THERAPEUTIC FACTORS IN GROUP-PROCESS

A tool, the Therapeutic Group Interaction Factors Scale (TGIF), was de veloped for systematically and objectively measuring the extent to whi ch therapeutic factors defined by Yalom are present or absent in group process, Preliminary findings suggest that the TGIF is relatively eas y to learn and use by coders who are familiar with Yalom's work, Once this tool has been further developed and tested, it will permit nurses and other therapists who lead/facilitate therapeutic groups to study the relationship between Yalom's factors and therapeutic outcomes obje ctively, rather than by asking patients to evaluate the contribution o f each factor subjectively. Copyright (C) 1996 by W.B. Saunders Compan y