A Comparative Evaluation of Group Treatments in an Adult Correctional Facility
Keywords:
EvaluationAbstract
This paper describes a comparative evaluation of Psychodrama with three other group treatments (Anger Therapy, Values Clarification
and Decision Making) and a control group in a medium-security prison for adult males. The results support the overall benefit of
Psychodrama and the other group treatments when compared with the control group. Psychodrama in particular facilitated significant improvement in resident attitudes toward the institution and a reduction in distressing symptomatology. Other results suggested that the treatment groups had differential positive impact on resident behavior. The relationships between these effects and characteristics of the treatment environments are discussed.
References
Arnold, W., & Stiles, B. Summary of increasing use of "group methods" in correctional institutions. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 1972, 22, 77-92.
Bednar, R. L., & Kaul, T. J. Experiential group research: Current perspectives. In S. L. Garfield & A. E. Bergin (Eds.), Handbook of psychotherapy and behavior change. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1978
Beutler, L. E., & Crago, M. A. Self-report measurements of psychotherapy outcome. In M. S. Lambert, E. R. Christensen, & S. De.Julio (Eds.), The assessment of psychotherapy outcomes. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1983.
Cronbach, L., & Furby, L. How should we measure ''change'' or should we? Psychological Bulletin, 1970, 74, 68-80. .
Derogatis, L. R., & Cleary, P.A. Confirmation of the dimensional structure of the SCL-90: A study in construct validation. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 1977, 33, 981-989.
Derogatis, L. R., Rickels, K., & Rock, A. F. The SCL-90R and the MMPl: A step in the validation of a new self-report scale. British Journal of Psychiatry, 1976, 128, 280-289.
Kipper, D. A. Trends in the research on the effectiveness of psychodrama: Retrospect and prospect. Group Psychotherapy, Psychodrama and Sociometry, 1978, 31, 5-18.
Maas, J. The use of actional procedures in group psychotherapy with sociopathic women. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 1966, 16, 190-197.
Moos, R. H. Correctional institutions environment scale. Palo Alto, California: Consulting Psychologists Press, 1981. (a)
Moos, R. H. Group environment scale. Palo Alto, California: Consulting Psychologists Press, 1981. (b)
Parloff, M. B., & Dies, R. R. Group psychotherapy outcome research 1966-1975. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 1977, 27, 281-319.
Slaikeu, K. A. Evaluation studies on group treatment of juvenile and adult offenders in correctional institutions. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 1973, 10, 86-99.
Waskow, I. E., & Parloff, M. B. Psychotherapy change measures: A report of the clinical research branch outcome measures project. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, Department of Health, Education and Welfare Publication (ADM), 1975.
Waters, J. Social ecology and groups: The group environment scale in total institutions. Together, 1978, 3, 13-20.
Wolk, R. L. The relationship of group psychotherapy and institutional adjustment. Group Psychotherapy, 1963, 16, 141-144.
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Journal of Psychodrama, Sociometry, and Group Psychotherapy
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.