Help-Giving as a Factor in Perceived Group Helpfulness and Member Satisfaction in Small Counseling Groups

Yalom (1995) identified altruism as a curative force in counseling and therapeutic groups. This study investigated the relationship between group participants' evaluations of the amount of help they gave other members and the following outcome variables: (1) amount of help they believe they received from others, and (2) satisfaction with their groups. Participants in six-week personal growth groups rated the amount of help they gave and received, and their satisfaction with their groups, at the end of the second and fifth meetings. Results revealed that participants who rated themselves as having given more help rated themselves as having received more help from the group and rated the group experience more favorably. Results suggest that participants who believe they are helpful to their group mates tend to evaluate the group experience as more helpful and satisfying to them.