Socw 6204 Week 10 For The Assignment You Will Create A Suppo

Socw 6204 Week 10for The Assignment You Will Create A Support Group F

For this assignment, you will create a support group for a specific population such as breast cancer survivors, individuals who have experienced the loss of an infant, new widows, children who have lost a sibling, or another population approved by your instructor. You will develop a PowerPoint (PPT) presentation explaining the type of group you will design (e.g., family, multi-group). The presentation must incorporate at least 5-7 academic references supporting your planning and include 3-5 resources to pass on to group members. Additionally, you should prepare a transcript to accompany the PPT so that it can be read aloud and accessible to individuals with differing abilities.

Paper For Above instruction

The development of support groups tailored to specific populations is a crucial intervention in social work, offering therapeutic benefits and social connectedness for individuals navigating grief, loss, or significant life transitions. This paper outlines the creation of a support group for breast cancer survivors, highlighting the principles guiding its design, structure, cultural considerations, engagement strategies, assessment methods, intervention approaches, and evaluation of outcomes.

Principles of Grief and Loss in Group Design

Understanding the psychological and emotional processes involved in grief and loss is foundational to creating an effective support group. According to Stroebe and Schut (2010), grief involves a complex process of adjustment, which varies among individuals. Incorporating this knowledge, the support group is designed to provide a safe space where members can express their feelings without judgment and receive validation. Furthermore, recognizing that grief is a nonlinear process influenced by cultural and individual differences (Worden, 2009), the group emphasizes flexibility and sensitivity to diverse expressions of mourning. The principles of empathy, confidentiality, and empowerment form the core of the group's foundation, ensuring participants feel supported through their healing journey.

Structure and Function of the Support Group

The proposed support group will be a finite, closed, peer-led group meeting weekly over a 12-week period. Each session will typically last 90 minutes, facilitated by a trained social worker or mental health professional. The group will focus on shared experiences related to cancer survivorship, facilitating emotional expression, mutual support, and education about managing ongoing health issues. The group’s structure promotes trust, consistent participation, and peer validation, which are vital for fostering resilience and reinforcing coping skills (Yalom & Leszcz, 2005). The functions include psychoeducation, emotional processing, social connection, and empowerment, with structured activities such as open sharing, thematic discussions, and resource sharing.

Cultural and Diversity Considerations

Recognizing the diversity among breast cancer survivors, cultural competence is integrated into the group’s development. This includes sensitivity to cultural beliefs concerning illness, death, and support-seeking behaviors (Campinha-Bacote, 2002). The facilitator will assess each member’s cultural background during initial screenings, ensuring that the group's environment respects varied traditions, communication styles, and beliefs. For instance, some cultures may emphasize family involvement or spiritual practices, which will be incorporated into session themes or resources. Language access and culturally relevant materials will also be provided to ensure inclusivity, thereby promoting trust and engagement among diverse participants (Betancourt et al., 2003).

Engagement Strategies for Group Members

Engaging members effectively involves establishing rapport and creating a welcoming environment from the outset. Techniques include transparent communication about confidentiality and group rules, active listening, and demonstrating empathy. The facilitator will utilize motivational interviewing techniques to encourage participation and reinforce members’ strengths (Miller & Rollnick, 2013). Additionally, initial warm-up activities, such as sharing personal milestones or coping strategies, will foster connections. Visual aids, storytelling, and culturally relevant materials will serve to include various learning preferences and cultural expressions, thus enhancing engagement (Corey, 2016).

Assessing Functioning and Dynamics

Throughout the group process, the facilitator will employ both formal and informal assessment methods. These include observational techniques, member self-reports, and standardized tools such as the UCLA Loneliness Scale or the Trauma Symptom Checklist (Heo et al., 2014). Regular check-ins and reflective exercises will help assess individual progress, group cohesion, and interpersonal dynamics. Emotional safety will be monitored, and adjustments will be made to facilitate open communication and manage conflicts, ensuring a supportive environment conducive to healing.

Interventions and Resource Provision

The intervention strategy emphasizes both expressive and educational elements. Facilitators will guide discussions around shared experiences with cancer, promoting emotional processing and resilience. Psychoeducation about common challenges faced by survivors—including fear of recurrence, body image concerns, and navigating healthcare systems—will be integrated into sessions. The 3-5 resources recommended for group members will include reputable organizations such as the American Cancer Society, survivor support networks, guided meditation apps, and literature on coping with cancer survivorship (Clark et al., 2017). These resources aim to empower members with ongoing support, self-care tools, and access to community services beyond the group setting.

Outcome Evaluation

Evaluating the effectiveness of the support group involves multiple measures. Pre- and post-intervention assessments using validated scales will gauge emotional well-being, social support, and quality of life. Participant feedback forms and facilitator observations will inform ongoing improvements. Additionally, tracking attendance and participation levels will provide insights into engagement. Success will be indicated by reductions in feelings of loneliness and anxiety, increased resilience, and sustained social connections, as supported by research on support groups’ efficacy (Angel and Williams, 2018). Such evaluations will guide future replication and enhancement of the program.

Conclusion

Designing a culturally sensitive, evidence-based support group for breast cancer survivors involves careful application of grief principles, engaging diverse members, and continuous assessment. By integrating structured interventions and valuable resources, the group aims to foster resilience, emotional healing, and social support. Ongoing evaluation ensures the group remains responsive to members’ evolving needs, ultimately contributing to improved survivorship outcomes and quality of life.

References

  • Betancourt, J. R., Green, A. R., Carrillo, J. E., & Ananeh-Firempong, O. (2003). Defining cultural competence: A practical framework for addressing racial/ethnic disparities in health and health care. Public Health Reports, 118(4), 293–302.
  • Campinha-Bacote, J. (2002). The process of cultural competence in the delivery of healthcare services: A model of care. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 13(3), 181–184.
  • Clark, K. L., et al. (2017). Supporting cancer survivors: Resources and self-management strategies. Journal of Cancer Survivorship, 11(4), 448–459.
  • Heo, M., et al. (2014). Assessing psychosocial health in cancer survivors: Psychometric properties of the UCLA Loneliness Scale. Psycho-Oncology, 23(10), 1231–1238.
  • Miller, W. R., & Rollnick, S. (2013). Motivational interviewing: Helping people change. Guilford Press.
  • Yalom, I. D., & Leszcz, M. (2005). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy. Basic Books.
  • Stroebe, M., & Schut, H. (2010). The dual process model of coping with bereavement: Rationale and description. Death Studies, 34(8), 739–758.
  • Worden, J. W. (2009). Grief counseling and grief therapy: A handbook for the mental health practitioner. Springer Publishing Company.
  • Caserta, M. S., & Lund, D. (2014). The context and management of grief and loss. In Handbook of Thanatology (pp. 237–251). Routledge.
  • Yalom, I. D., & Leszcz, M. (2005). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy. Basic Books.

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