We examined a program for US patients in a safety-net hospital that featured English and Spanish language groups. We collected data from 54 group sessions over 28 months, including information on participant demographics, attendance, and satisfaction. Qualitative field notes collected by trained observers were analyzed via a grounded-theory approach to examine group dynamics.
Participants were underserved, had diverse disease sites and race/ethnicity, and reported that groups met their needs. Emergent analysis identified two themes related to group dynamics. First, members identified with each other as a fictive family, although the meaning of 鈥渇amily鈥?differed in the groups. Second, groups focused on battling cancer not adjusting to life as a survivor鈥攁 focus that impaired participants鈥?ability to discuss coping strategies for managing negative feelings.
Fictive 鈥榝amily鈥?engages participants. The emphasis on 鈥榝amily鈥?and resistance to coping strategies may reflect participants鈥?social disadvantages.
Groups for the underserved should strive to create a 鈥榝amily鈥?and may have difficulty helping participants cope with their illness.