Examining the Relationship between Religion and Group Cohesion in Psychotherapy Groups

Many factors contribute to the satisfaction group therapy members have with their therapeutic experience. This study examined whether one of those factors is the religion of the group members. More specifically, the aim of this study was to determine whether group members feel more satisfaction with their therapeutic experience if they attended a group therapy where almost every member had the same religious affiliation. This study administered a survey, comprised of a Likert Scale and supplementary open-ended questions on a written form to members of an entirely Jewish psychotherapy group and members of a group without a shared religious background. The results on a measure of group satisfaction - The Satisfaction with Therapy and Therapist Scale - Revised - were compared between these two different types of groups. The group members' diagnoses and other demographic characteristics were also recorded to determine whether any difference that is observed is the result of the religious affiliation of the group members rather than other factors. This study hypothesized that the clients who participate in group therapy with other members of their own religion feel more satisfaction and cohesion with their group members than those who are in groups with clients of various religions. The responses on the STTS-R did not support the hypothesis, as no significant difference was found between the secular and religious groups. However, it did find that the number of other group members to whom the participant feels close increases with a shared religious background. In this regard, group cohesion is positively impacted by participation in a therapy group with members of the same religion.