A Comparison of the HIM-B with the Hill Interaction Matrix Model of Group Interaction Styles: A Factor Analytic Study

Abstract

The study explored the internal structure of the HIM-B, a measure of prospective group members' preferred interaction styles according to the Hill Interaction Matrix model. No data have been available to determine if the HIM-B is a valid measure of the HIM interaction styles, described in terms of interaction levels of Work/Style and Content/ Style. Three hundred subjects at a university/community mental health agency responded to the HIM-B prior to their first therapy group meetings. Unweighted responses were used to conduct a factor analysis of the instrument. Three factors emerged in the analysis: Two factors appeared descriptive of the HIM Work/Style categories, while the third factor appeared descriptive of a general willingness to interact in groups. The HIM Content/Style categories were not distinguished in the factor structure. It was concluded that when administered to prospective therapy group members the HIM-B measures only preferred work level of interactions on the HIM. Implications and recommendations for future research are discussed.