The Group Topic Evaluation Scale: Preliminary Validity, Reliability, and Use in Psychoeducational Groups

Abstract

Process measures are important for evaluation of client reaction to psychoeducational group topics. Few scales have been created for measuring client responses in this setting. This study utilized secondary data to determine the initial validity of a Group Topic Evaluation Scale. Group members (N = 190) in a large, urban Driving Under the Influence program evaluated six different group topics using a created scale for a total of 623 responses. Principal component analysis found one factor comprising six items with good reliability. Two of the six topics scored significantly higher, indicating more meaningfulness to the clients. Implications are discussed.

Keywords:

• psychoeducational groups
• evaluation
• group topics
• group work
• evaluation scale