Client, leader, and group predictors of cohesion change across time

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The work itself takes shape around a single question from my early experiences as a group therapist: what influence, if any, do we as leaders have over the sense of belonging our group members feel? As it turns out, the answer to this question is quite complex; requiring a statistical means of accounting for the multiple dependencies of many people interacting across time. In this study my colleagues and I have worked hard to address the question with empirical rigor, and we have been surprised and humbled by the results. The simple answer to the question driving this work is “yes;” our behaviors as leaders definitely do influence the course of cohesion change. Still, the overall significance of our impact is small in comparison to the influence of member traits, and structuring too much may actually inhibit the bonding of members in our therapy groups. In many ways, the present study encourages us as group therapists to, as Irvin Yalom states, “let it flow” in allowing cohesion to emerge naturally over time. The results of this work have truly impacted how I conceptualize group development and I am excited to share them with you now.

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