Group Session Rating Scale: Preliminary psychometrics in substance abuse group interventions

Background: Although ultra-brief outcome and process measures have been developed for individual therapy, currently there are no ultra-brief alliance measures for group therapy. Method: The current study examined 105 clients in group therapy for issues related to substance abuse or with issues related to the substance abuse of a significant other. We tested whether a newly developed group therapy alliance measure - the Group Session Rating Scale would be related to other commonly used group process measures (Working Alliance Inventory, Group Cohesion, Group Climate) and early change (change over the first four sessions of group therapy). Results: The findings provided support for reliability based on Cronbach alphas and test-retest coefficients. Additionally, the GSRS was a one-factor measure that was related to other group process measures as well as predicted early change. Discussion: Clinical implications for how to utilise ultra-brief outcome and alliance measures are provided.