Group Processes in Helping Groups Toward a Developmental Perspective

Ten interaction dimensions of group behavior and three emotional atmosphere cate gories were coded and analyzed on the basis of interactions among old and young par ticipants in experimental "support-discussion" groups. The seven groups of elderly and five groups of young differed significantly with respect to frequencies of boundary, self-disclosure, and support behaviors, with the elderly exceeding the young on the first two and the young exceeding the elderly on the third. In addition, the young showed signs of boredom more frequently. The implications of these results for development and age-linked assumptions about helping group interactions and interventions were explored. The results suggest that this approach is promising in generating knowledge to facilitate age-appropriate group intervention strategies.