title: Preliminary evaluation of an observational measure of group cohesion for group psychotherapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Group psychotherapy research would benefit from an observational measure of group cohesion to complement existing self-report measures. This study introduces the Therapy Process Observational Coding System-Group Cohesion scale (TPOCS-GC), which observationally assesses cohesion between each member and the group.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total 27 parents participated in a group parent-training social competency intervention for children with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder. Independent coders double-coded group cohesion and the alliance in 144 client-sessions. Parents, teachers, and children completed cognitive, behavioral, and therapy participation measures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The TPOCS-GC demonstrated modest to strong item-level interrater reliability and acceptable internal consistency. Group cohesion evidenced moderate stability over the course of treatment. Relations between TPOCS-GC and theoretically linked and unrelated variables provided some evidence for construct and predictive validity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This preliminary study suggests that the TPOCS-GC is a reliable instrument that may help fill an instrumentation gap in the field.
authors.affiliation: University of Virginia, Department of Psychology, USA. mdl6e@virginia.edu
authors.forename: Matthew D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Lerner
authors.forename: Bryce D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: McLeod
authors.forename: Amori Y
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Mikami
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000078329:Workforce; D055815:Young Adult