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christian counseling today
Vol. 20 no. 4
This was a captivating study of
the lived reality of women who report
symptoms of postpartum depression.
The researcher was able to provide more
in-depth analysis of the kinds of issues
that arise and the different experiences
women have with encouragement and
support groups.
Interpersonal Climate of
12-step Groups
Rynes, K.N., Tonigan, J.S. & Rice, S.L. (2013).
Interpersonal Climate of 12-step Groups
Predicts Reductions in Alcohol Use.
Alcoholism
Treatment Quarterly
, 31 (2), 167-185. Doi:
10.1080/07347324.2013.771983.
This was a study examining whether the
quality of social interaction in self-help
(12-step) groups predicts a decreased
in alcohol use. Kristina Rynes, J. Scott
Tonigan and Samara Rice interviewed
130 participants from community Alco-
holics Anonymous (AA) groups, sub-
stance abuse treatment programs, and
advertising/word of mouth. Participants
were an average age of 38.65 (SD = 9.6
years) and most were either divorced or
single (78.5%). Just over half (53.8%)
were male. The highest percentage of
participants were Hispanic (43.1%), fol-
lowed by non-Hispanic white (35.4%),
American Indian or Alaskan Native
(15.4%), African-American (2.3%); and
3.8% did not specific ethnicity.
The researchers were looking at
whether AA member perceptions about
group engagement (“interpersonal social
climate;” p. 179) would predict alcohol
and drug use. The findings support the
role of small group cohesion in both
following the 12-steps and in abstinence
from alcohol: “The findings… [show]
that increased disclosure of sensitive
information and active engagement in
reasoning things out (e.g., group enga-
gedness) in 12-step groups predicts sig-
nificant decreases in drinking intensity
and marginal increases in days abstinent
from alcohol” (p. 179).
These findings are consistent with
existing research on the importance
of group cohesion in 12-step groups.
Christian counselors may want to
consider ways to facilitate cohesion and
related aspects of the social climate in
their work with similar groups.
Single-gender vs. Mixed-
gender Substance Abuse Groups
Greenfield, S.F., Cummings, A.M., Kuper,
L.E., Wigderson, S.B. & Koro-Ljungberg, M.
(2013). A Qualitative Analysis of Women’s
Experiences in Single-gender versus Mixed-
gender Substance Abuse Group Therapy.
Substance Use & Misuse,
48, 750-760. Doi:
10.3109/10826084.
Shelly Greenfield and her colleagues
conducted a qualitative study to explore
the experiences of women in a women’s
(single-gender) recovery group and a
mixed-gender drug-counseling group.
Twenty-eight women completed semi-
structured interviews and had been
randomly assigned to one of two group
conditions. Most of the women were
Caucasian (97.2%) and identified alco-
hol (82.6% of the single-gender group;
100% of the mixed-gender group) as
their substance of concern.
Both groups were offered a weekly,
90-minute format over 12 weeks;
the mixed-gender drug-counseling
group was an empirically supported,
manualized protocol. The single-gen-
der women’s recovery group offered
“women-focused content” (p. 751), such
as women’s family and social relation-
ships and comorbid concerns (e.g.,
depression, eating disorders).
Grounded theory analysis sug-
gested a model of women’s experiences
in single-gender groups as compared
to mixed-gender groups. Differences
were noted in
self-perceptions
(e.g., being
able to express all facets of themselves),
perceptions of the group
(e.g., using the
same language, having their needs met),
characteristics of communication
(e.g.,
honest, empathic, emotional), and
dis-
cussion topics
(e.g., the effects of spouses
on recovery).
In the mixed-orientation group, self-
perception was more constrained and
guarded, while the group atmosphere
tended to lack empathy. Communica-
tion in the mixed-gender group reflected
differences between men and women,
and discussion topics felt constrained
although there were some insights from
males that might not have been present
in the single-gender group.
This is an interesting study that
seems to support what some women
request: single-gender support groups
for their recovery. It is certainly a con-
sideration when resources allow for this
kind of tailored offering.
✠
Mark A. Yarhouse,
Psy.D.,
is the Rosemarie
Scotti Hughes Chair
of Christian Thought in
Mental Health Practice and
Professor of Psychology
at Regent University, where he directs the
Institute for the Study of Sexual Identity
(sexualidentityinstitute.org). He is author or
co-author of several books, including
Homosexuality and the Christian: A Guide
for Parents, Pastors, and Friends
.
