Introduction to Issue 49-1

The latest edition of the Journal for Specialists in Group Work (JSGW) contains four interesting research articles that address the experience of diverse group members. All four articles report research findings from studies based on different research modalities. The journal’s readership will welcome this focus specifically because it has predominantly focused on the experiences of counselor educators and counseling students. The sample populations of this issue’s articles are refreshing and will undoubtedly resonate with the readership.

Furthermore, all four research-based articles center on group work processes and procedures in their study of unique group members’ experiences. They demonstrate the intersection of such processes with their research population’s unique identities, contexts, and experiences. Okech and Rubel (2023) emphasized the significance of understanding and centering the dynamics of group work practice and the dimensions of group work processes in manuscripts published in the Journal for Specialists in Group Work. Their emphasis is aligned with the core purpose of the JSGW, which is the examination of groups and their processes, their functions and impact, their leadership and procedures, and their focus and impact. It is good to see four distinct articles highlighting these dimensions of group work practice across diverse populations.

Two of the articles in this issue focus on the experiences of women of color as illustrated by an examination of the experiences of “Early Career Women of Color in School Mental Health Fields,” utilizing a case study approach (Parker et al., 2023) and “A Grounded Theory of a Womanist Affinity Group Intervention for Black Women” (Haskins et al., 2024). Both articles examine the experience of women of color in their studies, helping to expand the area of group work practice with limited research and evidence-based practice. A third article examines “The Impact of Counseling Groups on STEM Graduate Students’ Well-Being” (Mumbauer-Pisano et al., 2024). Finally, Turhan et al. (2024) author the fourth article that examines “Group-Based Domestic Violence Perpetrator Intervention Processes.” All four articles in this issue expand the literature and interventions with groups that deserve further research and exploration on the effectiveness of group work interventions in meeting their needs.

I hope this issue expands your perspectives and knowledge on the experience of women of color, STEM graduate students, and interventions with domestic violence perpetrators. We welcome similar manuscripts for consideration for publication in the Journal for Specialists in Group Work. Remember that while this issue has four research articles published, we also consider publication articles that cover group work practice, commentaries on topical issues, brief reports, training articles, theoretical articles, and special issues.

Do not hesitate to reach out to the editor at [email protected] if you have any questions on a manuscript you are considering submitting to the journal for consideration for publication or if you have ideas about a particular issue that would be suitable for publication in the Journal for Specialists in Group Work.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jane E. Atieno Okech

Jane E. Atieno Okech, Ph.D., is a Professor of Counselor Education and Supervision in the Department of Counseling, Human Development, and Family Science, College of Education and Social Services at the University of Vermont and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal for Specialists in Group Work.