Group stability and open setting in psychiatric groups

Psychotherapeutical groups in Psychiatry - different to traditional Psychot herapy - are often carried out as open groups; the patient, not bound to a previous commitment to long-term and reliable attendance, is authorised to determine for himself how long he will take part in the group. Though in th is way it is possible to decrease the threshold of participation in the gro up, on the other hand this may cause risk of an extrem high fluctuation. Th e analysis of a group of psychiatric patients shows that in spite of the op en form, lack of a waiting list, and a faint motivation of newly admitted p articipants, considerable stability can be obtained.