Group Cohesion and Between Session Homework Activities Predict Self-Reported Cognitive–Behavioral Skill Use Amongst Participants of SMART Recovery Groups
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SMART Recovery groups are cognitive-behaviorally oriented mutual support groups for individuals with addictions. The aim of the study was to assess the extent to which the quality of group facilitation, group cohesion and the use of between session homework activities contribute to self-rated use of cognitive-behavioral skills amongst group participants. Participants attending SMART Recovery groups in Australia completed a cross sectional survey (N=124). The survey included measures of cognitive and behavioral skill utilization, group cohesion, quality of group facilitation and a rating of how frequently participants leave group meetings with an achievable between session homework plan. On average, participants had been attending SMART Recovery meetings for 9 months. Participants were most likely to attend SMART Recovery for problematic alcohol use. Regression analyses indicated that group cohesion significantly predicted use of cognitive restructuring, but that only provision of homework at the end of each group session predicted self-reported behavioral activation. Both group cohesion and leaving a group with an achievable homework plan predicted participant use of cognitive behavioral skills. The concrete actions associated with homework activities may facilitate behavioral activation. There is a need for longitudinal research to examine the relationship between the utilization of cognitive and behavioral skills and participant outcomes (e.g. substance use, mental health) for people attending SMART Recovery groups.
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Group cohesion and shared accountability have been found to increase engagement in between-session therapeutic homework and skill practice.
“It also allows for group cohesion and shared accountability, which have been found to increase engagement in between-session therapeutic homework and skill practice [25].”
From A Qualitative Study of Participant Feedback on an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Group-Based Intervention for Parents of Youth with Anxiety Disorders. (2026) · cites this paper as [25]
Section 3.5 reports that group cohesion predicted self-reported cognitive restructuring, while leaving meetings with a between-session plan predicted self-reported behavioral activation (page not provided). It does not show that cohesion increased homework engagement, measure shared accountability, or establish a causal increase in skill practice. (LLM, conf=0.87)
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References 29 · Cited by 32
Research works printed but not linked: 1
- Kessler, R. C., Mickelson, R. D., & Zhao, S. (1997). Patterns and correlates of self-help group membership in the United States. Journal of Social Policy, 27, 27-46.
- Authors
- Kelly, P. J., Deane, F. P., & Baker, A. L.
- Affiliations
- University of Wollongong (AU)
- University of Newcastle Australia (AU)
- Venue
- Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2015-04
- Volume
- 51
- Pages
- 53-58
- ISSN
- 0740-5472 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2088940970
- Cited by
- 32
- References
- 29
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 4
- FWCI
- 1.26
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- hdl.handle.net
- Locations
- Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- NOVA (University of Newcastle Australia) (submittedVersion)
- Research Online (University of Wollongong) (submittedVersion)
- Figshare (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Community Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Research Network
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Keywords
- SMART Recovery, group cohesion, group facilitation, cognitive-behavioral techniques, cognitive restructuring, behavioral activation, self-help groups, addiction, alcohol consumption, skill utilization
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Australia, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Self-Help Groups, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Treatment Outcome, Substance-Related Disorders, Alcohol-Related Disorders, Self Report
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