Understanding the Role of Group Cohesion and Group Alliance in a Secular Peer Support Group for Recovery from Substance Misuse

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to understand the role of group cohesion and alliance in LifeRing, a secular peer support group for substance misuse. Correlational analyses of quantitative data and content analysis of qualitative data from 50 participants assessed (a) the relationship between group cohesion, alliance with the meeting convenor, and active participation in the group; (b) the associations among group cohesion, alliance with the meeting convenor, and satisfaction with the group; and (c) what participants found helpful about LifeRing. Group cohesion was significantly associated with active group participation while convenor alliance was significantly associated with group satisfaction.

KEYWORDS:

• Alliance
• group cohesion
• peer support groups
• substance abuse
• substance use

Funding

Funding for this article was provided by Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada

Notes

¹All names are pseudonyms to protect participants' anonymity.