“Sticking Together”: The Adolescent Experience of the Cohesion Process in Rural School Counseling Groups

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop a grounded theory of how adolescents experience the cohesion process in rural school counseling groups. A total of 20 individual interviews with 7 participants were conducted. Data analysis generated the central category of the cohesion process as “sticking together,” which describes a “tight bond.” Feelings of belonging, positive feelings, open social interactions, and lasting connections further characterize the cohesion process as experienced by adolescent participants. This study provides a qualitative, descriptive view of how adolescents experience the cohesion process in school counseling groups. Implications for counselors and future research are discussed.

Keywords:

• adolescent
• group cohesion
• group counseling
• rural schools
• school counseling

FUNDING

This research was funded in part by an ASGW Research Grant and was part of the first author’s dissertation research.

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded in part by an ASGW Research Grant and was part of the first author’s dissertation research.

Notes on contributors

Tara M. Gray

Tara M. Gray, Ph.D., L.P.C., is adjunct faculty, and Deborah Rubel, Ph.D., is an associate professor of counseling, in the College of Education at Oregon State University.