Wh. O'Brien et al., Evaluating group process in a stress management intervention: Relationships between perceived process and cardiovascular reactivity to stress, RES SOC W P, 9(5), 1999, pp. 608-630
Objective: The authors evaluated relationships among group process and trea
tment outcomes in a stress management intervention. Methods: A group-based
stress management intervention was provided to a sample of self-referred ad
ults. After each therapy session, group members completed a process measure
. Before and after the intervention, group members underwent a psychophysio
logical assessment of negative moods, daily stress, physical symptoms, and
cardiovascular reactivity to stress. Results: Group process was comprised o
f three dimensions: positive process, satisfaction, and negative process. R
atings of positive and satisfaction significantly increased across sessions
. In addition, satisfaction ratings were inversely correlated with cardiova
scular reactivity, whereas negative process ratings were positively correla
ted with cardiovascular reactivity. Conclusion: The finding of increasing p
ositive process and satisfaction may be related to the structure of the int
erventions, which allowed for more frequent and diverse interaction during
later sessions. Correlations between negative process and cardiovascular re
activity may reflect the influence of hostile traits.