The topic of my graduation thesis are factors that influence whether being included in a group psychosocial support will be successful or not. In the theoretical part, I discuss the basic methods of social work and types of groups. I also list and describe common factors (factors of change that are common for different methods and branches of psychosocial support) and bring them into the context of social work. I also describe specific factors (factors that are specific for group work). I conclude the theoretical part by summing up the findings up till now about the efficacy of achieving goals in a group. In the empirical part, I present the results of the qualitative research that I implemented on a non-probability accidental sample of 10 interviewees. When talking to them, I was interested in their experience of being included in a group and the factors that encouraged and discouraged their desired changes, the advantages and disadvantages of group work that they can recognize, and how they would rate the efficacy of achieving desired goals in the group. The research confirms surveys on which I based my theoretical part to a great extent. The survey proves that there are factors that are common for group work and other methods of social work. The survey also proves that common factors (helper, user, working relationship, social network and practice strategies) have a significant impact on achieving desired changes. The survey shows the importance of the availability (geographical, financial) of the group for its members. The research also confirms that specific factors in group work, such as installation of hope, universality, imparting information, altruism, development of socializing techniques, group cohesion, catharsis and interpersonal learning in interpersonal relationships, also influence achieving desired changes. It is important that social workers pay attention to both common and specific factors when they are accessing the efficacy of psychosocial support. It is also important that social workers explore all factors (common and specific) of group members that are encouraging or discouraging desired changes. Participation in a group has both advantages (feedback from different people, mutual help among group members, normalization) and disadvantages (quiet members, unwanted behavior from members, breaking confidentiality). Therefore, it is important that, when negative factors appear, the leader intervenes in every way they can e.g., encouraging quiet members to participate and encouraging assertive members to listen to other members. It is also important that the group is not too big. Most co-speakers report successfully achieving their goals in the group. The research also showed that group members benefit more if aside from participation in a group, they also have the possibility of an individual form of support and help.
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