title: A Persian Gulf War support group: process, viability, and flexibility.
abstract: Observations of a Persian Gulf War support group suggest that the support group is a viable approach to ameliorating the stress of war among those personally affected. Cohesiveness developed readily, and facilitated a social support network. Therapeutic factors are compared with previous support group literature, and existential issues appear to be involved in groups addressing an uncontrollable stressor and/or the possibility of death. The volatility of the stressor produced variations in group character (supportive psychotherapy versus support versus self-help), necessitating a flexible leadership role. Observations are offered toward clarifying the nature of support groups in general.
authors.affiliation: Psychological Services, Poplar Springs Hospital, Petersburg, VA.
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Wadsworth
mesh_terms: D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D008877:Middle East; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000639:trends*; D012944:Social Support; D014857:Warfare