Empowering women with chronic, physical disabilities:a pedagogical/experiential group model.
Past research on group work in the hospital setting has focused on traditional psycho-educational support group models. This article describes an effective group model developed in the Initiative for Women with Disabilities, a hospital-based outpatient program for women with chronic physical illnesses or conditions. The group model integrates concepts of humanistic and self-psychology with pedagogical methods and experiential learning. A Women's Writing group and Women's Assertiveness group each with 10 sessions were designed and conducted according to this model. The group leader presented as a pedagogue and self-object that created a group experience that affirms humanistic values and fosters self-growth, socialization, and interpersonal change. The results of a self-administered survey suggest that the participants responded favorably to the format, structure and content of the groups, skills learned, and the identification of past and present issues.
Vail
Svetlana
S
Initiative for Women with Disabilities, Department of Social Work Services/Care Management, NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases, 301 East 17th Street, New York, NY 10003, USA. svetlana.vail@nyumc.org
Xenakis
Nancy
N
D000328:Adult; D001242:Assertiveness; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D012649:Self Concept; D019455:Self Psychology; D012944:Social Support; D012947:Social Work; D016387:Women's Health; D014956:Writing