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The power of group discussion: enhancing reflexivity in professionals’ practice when dealing with family diversity

Everri, Marina, Fruggeri, Laura and Venturelli, Elena (2015) The power of group discussion: enhancing reflexivity in professionals’ practice when dealing with family diversity. Systemic Practice and Action Research, 28 (4). pp. 297-314. ISSN 1094-429X

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Identification Number: 10.1007/s11213-014-9332-1

Abstract

This paper describes an action research study that illustrates the potential of group discussion to enhance reflexivity on professionals’ theoretical and technical models that foster a change in their practice when facing contemporary family diversity. Focus groups were carried out with thirty-five experienced professionals (females, N = 22; males, N = 12; mean age = 45 years) working in the Italian Health Care System (IHCS). Group discussions centered on clinical cases involving same-sex families, an emerging phenomenon in Italy and still subject to social stigma. Our results showed that group discussion allowed professionals to develop a communicative process through which they changed their initial prejudiced positions. This process was named the group re-orienting process and four progressive phases were recognized: (a) defense (b) familiarization with novelty (c) self-reflection and (d) generation. Each phase is described in detail using extracts from focus group data. Implications for training and intervention are discussed.

Item Type: Article
Official URL: http://link.springer.com/journal/11213
Additional Information: © 2014 Springer Science+Business Media New York
Divisions: Psychological and Behavioural Science
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman
Date Deposited: 04 Feb 2016 11:32
Last Modified: 07 Jan 2024 07:18
URI: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/65223

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