Cohort group Proposal

Hi Dr. Jill,

While the DSM-5 does regard relationship stress with a spouse or intimate partner as a condition that may merit clinical attention (American Psychiatric Association. 2013). A relationship breakup can be a risk factor for a plethora of listed conditions—including chronic sadness, apathy, or anger about the other partner. According to Taylor (2004), the trauma and rejection experienced by divorce survivors can cause severe damage to self-esteem—giving rise to major depressive disorders or exaggerated avoidance behaviors. In essence, divorce serves as a major risk factor for so many mental health conditions.

Divorce support groups have been demonstrated as an effective protective factor in minimizing the trauma resulting from divorce. For example, Oygard and Thuen (2000) discussed a fairly comprehensive study that followed three separate divorce support groups over the course of several weeks. Their conclusions acknowledge the difficulty in evaluating the success of these groups by any objective or empirical measure. This is due to the fact that the group members have no uniform diagnosis at the beginning of the group. In fact, many of them never develop any condition acute enough to warrant a formal diagnosis. Instead, they evaluate success largely upon the results of one-on-one interviews with the participants at the course's beginning and end. Although anecdotal, the results indicate that the groups improved overall emotional well-being in most participants. Most of them reported greater self-understanding and self-acceptance. They also reported a reduction in feelings of isolation and egocentricity. In short, they felt much more connected and worthy of love.

References:

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). p 829  https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books. 9780890425596 Links to an external site.

Oygard, L., & Thuen, F. (2000). An Evaluation of Divorce Support Groups: A Qualitative Approach. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 32(3/4), 149. https://doi.org/10.1300/J087v32n03_10

Taylor, R. J. (2004). Therapeutic Intervention of Trauma and Stress Brought on by Divorce. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 41(1/2), 129–135. https://doi.org/10.1300/J087v41n01_08

 

Hello team,

I had the opportunity to read this article, which was interesting and helpful for the group assignment. “Stresses and Strengths of Working Women in a Divorce Support Group” (Molina, 2000). A descriptive study was conducted of eight working women who were part of a union-based legal/social work program amid a divorce. This sample of eight women took part in an eight-week divorce support group. Questionnaires and scales were used to uncover the family characteristics of the predominantly African American clients. The lack of opportunities to learn job skills for promotions, the inability to continue the desired level of education because of a need to earn money, and having no partner to share responsibilities were primary stresses reported by divorced working women. Seeking spiritual support and an ability to redefine crises to make them more manageable were strengths. The other four studies measured the participants’ divorce adjustment using different instruments; however, there are very few long-term empirical studies; the remaining studies evaluate short-term group treatment. Two studies focused on a divorce education approach (Young, 1978a, 1978bs. The results indicate a significant improvement in self-esteem in the experimental groups. In addition, Fisher (1976) and Thiessen et al. (1980) report significantly increased divorce adjustment in participants measured by the Fisher Divorce Adjustment Scale (Fisher, 1976). The women attended group sessions, allowing different things to occur in each group. Session one-Developed group Cohesiveness and discussed goals for each Session. Session Two focused on the ambivalence towards divorce and the effects and ways of coping with new roles as a divorced woman. The third Session concentrates on children and themselves and their responses to the position of separation and divorce. Fourth Session-A guest attorney was invited to discuss legal matters, grounds for divorce, custody anything on divorce. Fifth Session helped with depression and anger and the importance of expressing emotions—sixth Session Focused on the sense of low self-esteem and how to focus more on self-needs. Seventh Session focused on sexuality and dating and some conflicting feelings some may have about sex. The eighth Session concentrates on helping the woman focus on goals and personal growth and dealing with a sense of termination.

Counseling a group as such, one of the goals for our group would be to help the divorced woman meet their goals and encourage them to discuss plans and how they see themselves as a single person.

 

References

Molina, O. (2000). Stresses and Strengths of Working Women in a Divorce Support Group. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 33(3/4), 145. https://doi.org/10.1300/J087v33n03_09