Helpful impacts in group counseling: Development of a multidimensional rating system

The underlying structure of group therapy participants' perceptions of helpful therapeutic impacts were explored through principal-components analysis. Critical incidents obtained from 210 interpersonal growth group and 74 group counseling participants were rated on a measure that incorporated items from the Therapeutic Factors (S. Bloch, J. Reibstein, E. Crouch, P. Holroyd, & J. Themen, 1979), and Categories of Good Moments (A. R. Mahrer & W. P. Nadler, 1986) rating systems and R. Elliott's (1985) taxonomy of helpful impacts. principal-components analysis revealed four underlying factors that accounted for 59.2% of the variance. These factors were labeled Emotional Awareness-Insight, Relationship-Climate, Other Versus Self Focus, and Problem Solving-Behavior Change. The identified helpful therapeutic impact dimensions were related to perceptions of group leader behavior and to ratings of group climate.