Relationship problems support groups: history and function

Relationship Problems Support Group

Support groups are usually created to bring together individuals facing similar problems or issues such as relationship problems. The concept behind the formulation of a support group is that members can get help for their issues through talking with others in a similar situation. In this case, relationship problems support group exist so that people facing relationship issues can share their experiences and advice each other on how to handle them. Support groups help individuals deal with their problems through providing better ways of coping and making members feel less isolated as they make important connections with others in the same situation. While relationship problems support groups are not group therapy sessions, they help members to deal with relational issues through providing emotional support and shared experiences.

Historical Context

A support group is basically defined as a gathering of individuals who share similar interests or concerns such as relationship problems (Mayo Clinic Staff, n.d.). These groups are created to provide necessary support to those undergoing stressful experiences in life or a major illness. The main idea behind the creation of support groups is to provide emotional support and shared experiences to group members. The focus of the support group is usually the specific situation or condition that contributed to its creation. Since these groups are mostly informal, they are not similar to group therapy sessions, which are formal groups created to bring together people with similar conditions under the guidance of a professional health provider.

Support groups emerged from the practice of group therapy, which emerged following the development of healthcare at the beginning of the 20th Century. The practice of group therapy emerged during this period to help bring together in-patients with similar conditions. This process was geared towards lessening the costs of treatment through providing guidance on how patients could deal with the disease or mental illness. The practice of group therapy became more prevalent in the aftermath of the Second World War. This period was characterized by social changes that generated reflections on the significance psychological treatment for individuals suffering from trauma. The model of group therapy was primarily used as a platform for exchanging experiences and received considerable attention due to increased recognition by professionals in the health sector (Peretti, Martins & Guanaes-Lorenzi, 2013).

The aftermath of World War II was characterized by the emergence of psychiatric reform in which numerous investments were made to identify spaces where individuals would be cared for at their own free will. Therapeutic groups were increasingly considered as economic resources because of shortage of trained professionals. These groups were increasingly distinguished from individual treatment approaches and became more popular. The popularity of therapeutic groups resulted in the emergence of support groups to help care for patients. Actually, support groups were now used as platforms for providing care in varying contexts, which resulted in their increased use as resources for healthcare. Rapid social changes during this period contributed to the growing need for support, which in turn contributed to the proliferation of support groups. Support groups were established to help individuals face difficult emotional issues, cope with stress, promote smooth transition, and help deal with economic problems (Peretti, Martins & Guanaes-Lorenzi, 2013).

The rapid social changes that have been brought by globalization have contributed to the proliferation and increased significance of support groups. Globalization has significantly changed human relations in the recent past through increased diversity in today's society. These relational issues have acted as the premise for increased creation of relationship problems support group. These groups are created to help their members handle relationship problems and issues through providing emotional support and shared experiences.

Group Treatment Description

As previously mentioned, the major way through which support groups provide treatment to their members is emotional support and shared experiences. However, the typical behaviors associated with these groups differ depending on the specific situation or issue they are created to address. For instance, mental health support groups differ from relationship problems support groups because they involve a professional healthcare provider who offers guidance on how to cope with the mental health issue. On the contrary, relationship problems support groups do not include a professional healthcare provider but relies mostly on the shared experiences and emotional support from the members.

One of the typical behaviors of relationship problems support group is listening to each other in order to provide the needed emotional support and ensure shared experience. Group members listen to and treat each other with respect in order to ensure every member has an opportunity to share their experiences and feel a sense of belonging. Secondly, the members discuss various issues relating to relationship problems in different contexts such as in marriage. The discussions are usually geared towards providing important information that would help in making decisions that lead to healthy relationships. These discussions are usually led by individuals who've experienced the issue to help provide guidance to other members who are currently facing similar problems.

Etiology

Relationship problem support group comprises men and women who are facing different relationship issues in order to help each other develop healthy relationships by dealing with these problems. There are three categories of the support group population i.e. singles, married couples, and individuals between divorce and re-marriage. Some members of a relationship problems support group are singles who join the group to explore issues relating to relationships and dating. Married couples join the group in order to receive support for the various issues they are facing in their relationship and examine if their marriage is healthy. Moreover, these people join the group in order to identify ways of enhancing their relationship and grow as individuals and as couples ("Relationship Support Group," n.d.). Individuals between divorce and re-marriage are part of the group since it provides them necessary support to deal with the aftermath of the divorce and prepare for their future marriages. While the group has different kinds of members, its major goal is to explore relationships in a deeper and more individual level so that members can develop healthy relationships.

Ethical Considerations

Ethical, legal and cultural issues are vital considerations towards the creation of a safe and intimate setting in which group members can freely share their relationship problems and receive necessary emotional support towards developing healthy relationships. One of these considerations is privacy and confidentiality given that group members share their personal issues. The group should ensure that the privacy of every member is respected while personal information provided in the group is treated as confidential. Secondly, members should be protected from any victimization or malice in light of personal information they share with others. Third, cultural awareness is important, especially when handling issues relating to same-sex relationships or those relating to the roles of men and women in a relationship.

Discussion

Relationship problems are largely considered as indicators or disturbance whose diagnosis is usually centered on relationship considerations. Actually, relationship problems or disturbances in interpersonal relationships are common criteria for psychopathology classification (Sroufe et al., 2000). In essence, there is a strong link between relationship problems and psychological disturbance. From a theoretical point-of-view, relationship problems are by-products of psychological disturbance.

Given the strong link between relationship problems and psychological disturbance, many theorists view social relationships are vital contexts through which psychopathology emerges and develops. This is largely because relationship experiences play a dominant role in an individual's development and growth. Therefore, relationships with loved ones, peers, friends, and caregivers play a critical role in personal growth and development. People are constantly seeking to have healthy relationships in order to avoid and/or address psychological disturbance. This process is in turn geared towards promoting and ensuring an individual's healthy growth and development. If relationship problems are not addressed, they exacerbate psychological disturbance, which is demonstrated through emotional and behavioral problems. Consequently, support groups help in dealing with this problem by providing a safe setting for emotional support. Positive or healthy peer group membership generates positive impacts on an individual that help in dealing with psychological disturbance. To this extent, relationship problems support groups act as avenues for individuals to deal with psychological disturbances.

Summary and Conclusion

Relationship problems have become common in today's society because of the rapid social changes that continue to take place. As a result, relationship problems support groups are increasingly formulated to help people deal with relationship issues. These support groups provide necessary emotional support to their members through shared experience to help them learn to develop healthy relationships. The emergence of support groups can be traced back to the aftermath of World War II, which generated rapid social changes that contributed to the practice of group therapy and eventually support groups. Members of relationship problems support groups are individuals facing different relationship problems. The main goal of these groups is to explore relationship problems in a deeper way and help members deal with them.