Does group climate mediate the group leadership–group member outcome relationship? A test of Yalom's hypotheses about leadership priorities.

Abstract

I. D. Yalom's (1995) hypothesis that group climate mediates the relationship between leadership and outcome was tested. Group leaders (N = 43) recorded intentions, and adolescent group members (N = 233) rated climate after 8 semistructured group sessions. Members also rated satisfaction at termination. Leader intentions comprised 4 dimensions: therapeutic work, safe environment, interpersonal, and group structure. Changing group climates did mediate between these intentions and member outcome. Therapeutic work was negatively related and safe environment was positively related to an increasingly active and engaged climate, which was related to treatment benefit. Group structure and possibly interpersonal intentions were related to a climate decreasing in conflict and distance, which was related to a positive leader relationship. The importance of leaders focusing on group process rather than individual change is highlighted.