Postgroup-Casualty Status, Group Events, and Leader Behavior: An Early Look into the Dynamics of Damaging Group Experiences

Objective: The purpose of this investigation was to obtain information about factors that lead to damaging experiences in social work groups. This study examined specific effects that damaging group experiences have on group participants and characteristics shared by group participants who were psychologically damaged. Method: Eighty-three clients from various group settings were interviewed. Logistic regression analyses were used to delineate a model predicting group-casualty status. Results: Thirty-three clients (40%) met the study's definition of group casualty. Significant differences arose between casualty and noncasualty groups on types of damaging group events that occurred, reactions to the event, and postevent variables. Being in the casualty group was associated with perceiving the group leader as the perpetrator of a stressful event, having an intense emotional reaction, and being discouraged from pursuing further help. Conclusion: Implications for social workers are discussed and recommendations are given.