Date of Award

6-1994

Degree Name

Doctor of Education

Department

Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology

First Advisor

Dr. Joseph R. Morris

Second Advisor

Dr. Edward Trembley

Third Advisor

Dr. Malcolm Robertson

Abstract

The comparison of two forms of group psychotherapy, a computer assisted group therapy model, the Therapeutic Learning Program (TLP), and a conventional model, was the focus of this study. A control group of subjects on a waiting list to begin treatment in an outpatient psychiatric clinic was also used in the analyses. The participants were diagnosed according to DSM-IIIR criteria.

The groups were compared on gender, age, race, diagnosis, length of time in treatment, number of group sessions received, length of time on the waiting list, and pre and post test scores on Taylor’s Manifest Anxiety Scale and Rotter’s Locus of Control Scale. The two experimental groups were also compared on the Lieberman’s Group Psychotherapy Questionnaire.

A total of 35 subjects participated in the study, 12 in the TLP experimental group, 12 in the conventional therapy experimental group and 11 in the control group. Analyses were conducted to investigate the relationship between type of treatment and subject ratings of group effectiveness.

Significant differences were found among all three groups on the measure for manifest anxiety, but subject ratings of their group experience showed no differences. Therapeutic gains made in treatment were accomplished in a significantly shorter time period for subjects in the TLP group. Issues impacting length of time in treatment and goal attainment were discussed for each treatment group. Recommendations for farther research were also identified.

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Dissertation-Open Access

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