Difficult behaviour in groups

DOEL, M. (2005). Difficult behaviour in groups. Social work with groups, 28 (1), 3-22.

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Abstract

This article is based on work with 24 groupworkers in a Children's Services agency in the English Midlands. Focus groups to consider the training priorities for groupworkers revealed one of the most pressing issues was difficult behaviours in groups. (This was initially referred to as challenging behaviour, but it was recognised that the word is ambiguous, so it was replaced by 'difficult'). The groupworkers were asked to present an example of difficult behaviour, some of which are reproduced here, as part of a process to understand the meaning of difficult behaviour and to add context. Nine themes arose from the work with the Children's Services groupworkers, and the article explores each theme and its implications for groupwork practice. The article relates the topic of difficult behaviour to the wider literature and suggests that the key to understanding and working with these behaviours in groups is the ability of the groupworker to unlock the meaning of the behaviour, and to find a way to articulate this alongside group members. Groupworkers' honesty with themselves about the feelings aroused by difficult behaviours emerges as a significant factor.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	groupwork education, difficult behaviour, group behaviour, co-working, children's services, focus groups
Research Institute, Centre or Group - Does NOT include content added after October 2018:	Centre for Health and Social Care Research
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.1300/J009v28n01_02
Page Range:	3-22
Depositing User:	Ann Betterton
Date Deposited:	20 Jul 2007
Last Modified:	18 Mar 2021 14:33
URI:	https://shura.shu.ac.uk/id/eprint/233

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