Psychiatric nurses' and patients' perceptions of discussion topics in therapeutic groups

Discussion topics for outpatient group therapy sessions were rated for importance by 84 psychiatric outpatients from 6 therapeutic groups and 26 psychiatric nurses. Topics were measured by scales of personal problems and feelings, lifestyle, response to health care, and nonhealth self-disclosure. No significant differences in importance ratings among therapeutic groups or between nurses and patients were found. Scale rankings were the same among patient groups and between nurses and patients, with personal problems and feelings receiving the highest score. Results support the existence of a common goal implicit among therapeutic groups that is known by nurses and augurs well for group cohesion, behavior in accordance with norms, and the efficacy of nurses as leaders of therapeutic groups.