Which of the following group therapy techniques emphasises that helping others in the group can boost self-esteem and promote a sense of purpose?

Appeared in: BTSC 3 August 2025

Explanation

Altruism is a core therapeutic factor in group therapy, first described by psychiatrist Irvin Yalom.
It is the process where group members experience a boost in self-esteem and find a sense of purpose by offering help, support, and insight to others.
This act of giving shifts the focus from one's own problems and fosters a sense of value and competence.
By helping others, members realize they have something to contribute, which counteracts feelings of worthlessness or demoralization.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

Option B: Anhedonia is a core symptom of major depressive disorder and other mental health conditions, defined as the inability to feel pleasure. It is a condition to be treated, not a therapeutic technique.
Option C: Ambivalence refers to the simultaneous presence of conflicting feelings, thoughts, or attitudes towards a person or situation (e.g., loving and hating someone at the same time). It is a psychological state, not a therapeutic method.
Option D: Ataxia is a neurological sign consisting of a lack of voluntary coordination of muscle movements, often affecting gait, speech, and eye movements. It is a physical symptom of an underlying medical condition, completely unrelated to psychotherapy.

Related Visual

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Yalom's Therapeutic Factors in Group Therapy helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Nurses leading or co-facilitating support groups (e.g., for diabetes management, new mothers, or grief) can actively foster altruism by creating opportunities for members to share successful coping strategies and offer encouragement to one another.
Recognizing and praising altruistic acts within the group reinforces this behavior and strengthens group cohesion.
What if a group member is consistently resistant to helping others and only focuses on their own problems? The nurse should explore the underlying reasons for this behavior, which could be related to deep-seated feelings of inadequacy or mistrust, and gently guide them toward recognizing the value of mutual support without forcing participation.

How to Approach the Question

First, analyze the question to identify the core concept. The question asks for a 'group therapy technique' that involves 'helping others' to 'boost self-esteem'.
Next, evaluate each option to see if it fits the category of a 'therapy technique'.
Immediately eliminate options that are clearly medical symptoms or signs. 'Anhedonia' (a psychiatric symptom) and 'Ataxia' (a neurological sign) do not fit.
Consider the remaining options. 'Ambivalence' is a psychological state of conflicting feelings, not a technique used to help others.
This leaves 'Altruism', which is defined as selfless concern for the well-being of others. In a therapeutic context, this act of giving support is known to be beneficial for the giver, matching the question's description perfectly.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Yalom's Therapeutic Factors in Group Therapy
Stem keywords: group therapy, helping others, boost self-esteem, sense of purpose
Lead-in keywords: Which

Question ID

Q__SMem0gPZdSYriVKqalD

Reference Book

E6 Kaplan Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry-2022 (pp 1-3768 of 3768) p. 2380-2382

E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) p. 12702-12704

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