Evaluating group process in a stress management intervention: Relationships between perceived process and cardiovascular reactivity to stress

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.