Group Development

Group Development

In group development there are closed-ended groups that begin and end in and at a particular time period. The clients start and finish with same group with no new members entering at various times. There are also open-ended groups that people start and end at different times and go through different stages of development and these stages of development are:

1. The formation of group- this is when pregroup issues are discussed.

2. The initial stage- this is when orientation and exploration of group dynamics are seen.

3. The transition stage- this is when if there is any the group deals with resistance.

4. The working stage- this is when groups develop a cameraderie and start becoming productive.

5. The termination stage- this is when the issues of the groups have learned how to deal with these termination issues which are dealt with even at the beginning of the group.

Other issues in working in group development are things like (I and who will be in the group say will there be six to eight (6-8) members in the group and this will be determined by the purpose and type of interactions wanted. The capacity to support groups is that how the individuals are getting along with each other. Is there clearly established group goals and objectives and based upon the purpose of the group. The recruiting and the screening of the members is determined. The human service worker will develop the space and the materials as well as consider privacy needs. The human service worker will also establish the goals and objectives for each session and the framework for evaluation sessions. Let the members know the criteria for the group and make sure their objectives match the groups purpose and working towards trust issues and show commitment to the group.

Group formation

During the approach to a new group there may be some avoidance problems. Members come to a group cautiously for fear of rejection and they wanted to belong and feel comfortable. The human service worker must facilitate a safe environment so members can trust and share more. Power and control emerges in members and will have times of conflict. Alliances are formed in group through conflict and differing roles will develop. You must assist the group in maintaining group focus and encourage maximum participation of all members. The human service worker must cover the groups rules and expectations. You must also keep confidentiality of the participants and solicit thoughts and feelings of the participants to establish individual and group contracts that are oral and written. The human service worker will also learn to assist the self and if there is conflict assume the responsibility for self and the human service worker may even show role-reversal to help deal with the conflict presented at the time.

Members confronted with working on and through issues like asking 'Why they (the client) are in the group?' The human service worker will openly discuss their problems and learn to take responsibility for the 'here and now'. The worker will reinforce the skills learned to become more spontaneous and interactions between clients improve cohesiveness which is important and create positive listening connections are made, but also help identity and bond with how they (clients) are similar so that they support one another and still be independent. They must still be able to identify when to participate and if the participants are stagnant with the topic/issue and need to move on when things get to be too much to handle. The human service worker will teach how to give and accept constructive criticism and promote positive behaviors.

The goal of the group is it worth the risk for exposing oneself and every member that is capable of changing behaviors. The human service worker will or try to prepare the individual to be able to leave the group at some time. There are differentiated goals throughout the group formation and process that will need to be settled somehow. There will be termination when goals and purposes have been achieved and planning for termination of clients can be difficult to disband the group.

Here are some reasons for this 1.) members can be dependent on one another and if lack of support outside the group. 2.) they may have found a safe place in an unsafe world. 3.) the group became a place of satisfaction and support. 4.) the fear and uncertainty of what will happen next. The client does not want to have a relapse of their issues.

Recommendations for Leader

The human service worker will review history of the group and be able to recognize how they came to the group and see the changes and improvements of the client(s). They will also allow the clients to express negative emotions and have separation from the group. They will also encourage client(s) to complete unfinished business with leaders and members and make a specific plan for change in daily lives. Plan for a follow-up plan. The worker can teach them relapse prevention strategies, for example a 'Time-Out plan'. Teach how to identify triggers to problems and impulse control and teach ways in developing own support systems. The human service leader will do an evaluation and assessment at all levels of group work of the whole group and individual assessments.

There are some considerations as in checking for hostilities and criticisms, assessing communication styles and patterns, the alignments of members and if they feel safety in the environment, and what is going on and doing what the objectives of the group. The group must be efficient and follow rigorous standards that are withheld and must be flexible. The pro's and con's are as follows:

Pro's

1. Learn about self and dealing with others.

2. Can't pick or choose there are a lot of opinions offered in the group.

3. Develop a connection between a single leader and members and other participants too.

4. Must make sure builds confidence.

5. Make sure the attention is not just on you and reflect what is said.

Con's

1. Let others assume responsibility (observer).

2. Is there group pressure from others if disagreement with what is said.

3. Are there any selfish reasons or self owned problems and do not help others.

4. Is it difficult to expose one self with others present.

5. Is it difficult to focus due to people sharing a lot of information or not at all.

To be continued

Family Issues