title: A time-lagged, actor-partner interdependence analysis of alliance to the group as a whole and group member outcome in overweight and obesity treatment groups.
abstract: A time-lagged design was used to examine how the perceptions of alliance to the group as a whole by the other group members at an earlier point in the group were related to an individual group member's perceptions of alliance to the group as a whole at a later point in the group. We also examined how treatment outcome moderated this relationship. Seventy-three patients diagnosed as overweight or obese participating in 10 short-term therapy groups provided data for analyses. Group members completed measures of cohesion to the group and alliance to the group as a whole at the third, sixth, and last session of 12-session groups as well as pre- and posttest ratings on Obesity-Related Well-Being and the Outcome Questionnaire-45. As hypothesized, earlier ratings of alliance to the group as a whole by the other group members were related to later ratings of alliance to the group as a whole by the group member. Also as hypothesized, when group members had a better outcome, there was a significant positive relationship between perceptions of alliance to the group as a whole by the other group members at an earlier point in the group and an individual group member's perceptions of alliance to the group as a whole at a later point in time. When members had a worse outcome, there was no relationship between perceptions of alliance to the group as a whole by the other group members at an earlier point in the group and an individual group member's perceptions of alliance to the group as a whole at a later point in the group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Palermo.
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gullo
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Palermo.
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lo Coco
authors.affiliation: Department of Philosophy, Human, Social, and Educational Sciences, University of Perugia.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pazzagli
authors.affiliation: CURIAMO Center, University of Perugia.
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Piana
authors.affiliation: CURIAMO Center, University of Perugia.
authors.forename: Pierpaolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: De Feo
authors.affiliation: Department of Philosophy, Human, Social, and Educational Sciences, University of Perugia.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mazzeschi
authors.affiliation: Department of Counseling and Personnel Services, University of Maryland.
authors.forename: Dennis M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Kivlighan
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D050177:Overweight / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome