The group selection questionnaire: a qualitative analysis of potential group members

The Group Selection Questionnaire (GSQ) has been shown to predict which individuals will improve during group psychotherapy. The present study sought to quantitatively and qualitatively describe those who are predicted to benefit (low scorers) and not benefit (high scorers) from group, based on their GSQ scores. High and low scorers were selected from two samples-a "non-clinical" group of undergraduates in an introductory psychology course and a "clinical" group of clients from a university counseling center. Analyses of differences in GSQ scores and interview transcripts indicated that low scorers anticipated benefits from groups, found it easy to share feelings and opinions, felt they were a part of groups, and described themselves as open. High scorers reported being passive, private, reserved, and unlikely to share feelings.