The effects of human relations training using gestalt therapy techniques upon selected personality variables in rehabilitation clients

The humanistic psychology movement has contributed significantly to the development of group approaches to explore the behavioral characteristics and emotional dynamics of full and healthy human living. Recent writers in rehabilitation have recommended the application of the new group practices to the disabled population. In response, this study was initiated to assess the effects of human relations training, using Gestalt therapy techniques, on disabled clients who had applied for services from a state Vocational Rehabilitation agency. Human relations training has been cited in the literature as effective in influencing such variables as sensitivity to self and others, feeling management, increased honesty and openness in communication, and directionality of motivation. Four constructs have been reported as related to outcomes in rehabilitation and Gestalt Therapy, and these were used as dependent variables in this study: selfactualization, interpersonal relations orientation, self-concept, and locus of control. The study was based on the Posttest-Only Control Group Design. The population consisted of 158 "active" rehabilitation clients who, in the judgment of the rehabilitation counselor, had a "need for counseling." Thirty-seven subjects were randomly selected and assigned to three groups. Six subjects dropped out of the project and data were collected on 31 subjects. One experimental group received 32 hours of training extending over five days. The other experimental group received training extending over ten weeks. The control group received no training. Criterion measures were administered to all groups during the final week of training. The treatment incorporated Gestalt Therapy techniques in a training model. These techniques facilitate awareness of feelings and sensations as one lives in a here-and-now world, in order to experience functioning as a "whole person." The training had three components: (1) a brief didactic presentation of Gestalt Therapy concepts; (2) exercises to experience these concepts; and, (5) exploration of awareness and self-disclosure. The criterion instruments used were: Personal Orientation Inventory; Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation-Behavior Scale; Tennessee Self Concept Scale; and Rotter's Internal-External Scale. Analysis of variance was the major statistic used to compare differences in mean scores between groups. Eighteen research hypotheses were formulated and data on 18 variables were analyzed. Significant differences resulted on 6 of the 18 analyses at the .25 level. Since the research was exploratory, the .25 level was used to increase the probability of detecting significant effects. Groups differed significantly on Time Competence, Innerdirected Support, Self-Actualizing Value, Feeling Reactivity, Spontaneity, and Acceptance of Aggression (POI scales). Differences on the six other subscales of the POI, three scales of the .FIRO-B, two major scales of the TSCS, and Rotter's I-E scale did not reach significance. It was concluded that "marathon" human relations training increased the level of self-actualization in rehabilitation clients, but did not increase the level of any of the personality constructs greater than "no training". Generally, the study indicated that training was effective in influencing self-actualization in rehabilitation clients. Levels of the other constructs, as measured by the criterion instruments, appeared higher for trained subjects than for untrained subjects. This trend suggests the need for further research. As researchers approach this area they are faced with problems which are difficult to control, such as the influence of rehabilitation services other than human relations training, the measurement of latent personality variables, attrition losses, leader-technique relationships, motivation among rehabilitation clients, and the length of training. However, notwithstanding these problems, this study demonstrates that human relations training does have potential in the rehabilitation of the disabled.