Pearl P. Rosenberg

Support Groups A Special Therapeutic Entity

In differentiating modalities of group technique, this article presents an explicit definition of and systematic criteria for characterizing the support group A theoretical base for the support group is proposed, and comparisons are made among this group, the self-help group, and group psychotherapy.

A new programme of sex education and counselling for spinal cord injured adults and health care professionals

A new programme in sex education and counselling for spinal cord injured adults and health care professionals has been described. The format of the 2-day desensitising-resensitising programme included exposure to a programmed assortment of explicit slides and films of sexual activity. Periodic small group discussions led by trained group leaders constituted the most important part. The results suggest that continued sexual interest, activity and satisfaction can be anticipated for many paraplegics and quadriplegics. An accepting, experimental attitude toward sexual activity promotes satisfaction with an interested and caring partner. However, many health professionals deliver inadequate sexual counselling to patients with spinal cord injury. This may add to the sum of the disabilities carried by the paraplegic and quadriplegic adult.

Sex education for adolescents and their families.

This paper describes a unique, 2-day experiential program in sex education for adolescents and their families. The program is adapted from a similar teaching program for medical students and is a highly focused, intense emotional experience wherein participants are presented, via a multimedia approach, with a planned sequence of explicit sexual material on all areas of human sexuality. During the program, six small group sessions with family members in separate groups enable participants to share impressions and examine anxieties aroused by the presentations. The entire process is monitored by evaluative instruments and questionnaires. Results of the data support the hypothesis that communication is possible between generations, and assists rather than inhibits the development of an adult identity.

The care and feeding of small-group leaders of sex discussion groups

This paper will focus on the selection, training, and monitoring of the small-group leaders in an extensive program of sex education. While not explicitly therapeutic, the leadership role in the six small-group sessions held during a 2-day period, covering highly emotional material, demands the skills and sensitivities of the traditional group therapist. In addition, group leaders must be aware of the limits of this experience and the subtle effect of a leaders role modeling during group discussion. The paper will discuss the SAR model, its academic history, and our experience with over 200 leaders drawn from both professional and paraprofessional ranks. We have data on participant evaluation of leaders and have developed a series of concepts regarding group process which is fed into our training program. Qualitative assessment of characteristics of the effective sex group leader is now possible as are basic group and member issues that most leaders must handle. The paper will discuss leadership screening, early orientation, small-group training sessions, practice leadership, supervision, evaluation, and problem solution in this highly sensitive area of sexuality, which while educational in purpose, is therapeutic in process.

A group experience in sex education for the family.

The Human Sexuality Seminar Program run by the University of Minnesota Medical School is described. The particular program described is a 2-day highly structured emotional multimedia program for adolescents and their families. Presentations alternated with group discussions and aimed to present sexual general maturational and value development material. Results indicate that families can benefit from group sex education. Intergenerational communication was fostered.

ROLE, RITUAL, AND THE GRYNNFLNK

While cohabitation among middle-class youth has been increasing, there has been little exploration of the influence of this change on the extended kin system. This paper examines the formal recognition of cohabitation, via role change and ritual, and introduces terminology to describe a relationship heretofore unaccounted for in our vocabulary.