This paper describes an action research study that illustrates the potential of in-group discussion to enhance reflexivity on professionals’ theoretical and technical models fostering 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 Agency. 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 an interactive process through which they re-oriented their initial prejudiced positions. This process was named the group re-positioning process and four progressive phases were recognized: (a) defense, (b) familiarization with novelty, (c) self-reflection and (d) generative. Each phase is described in detail using extracts from focus group data. Implications for training and intervention are discussed.

The power of group discussion: Enhancing reflexivity in professionals’ practice when dealing with family diversity / Everri, Marina; Fruggeri, Laura; Venturelli, Elena. - In: SYSTEMIC PRACTICE AND ACTION RESEARCH. - ISSN 1094-429X. - 28:4(2015), pp. 297-314. [10.1007/s11213-014-9332-1]

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

EVERRI, Marina;FRUGGERI, Laura;VENTURELLI, Elena
2015-01-01

Abstract

This paper describes an action research study that illustrates the potential of in-group discussion to enhance reflexivity on professionals’ theoretical and technical models fostering 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 Agency. 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 an interactive process through which they re-oriented their initial prejudiced positions. This process was named the group re-positioning process and four progressive phases were recognized: (a) defense, (b) familiarization with novelty, (c) self-reflection and (d) generative. Each phase is described in detail using extracts from focus group data. Implications for training and intervention are discussed.
2015
The power of group discussion: Enhancing reflexivity in professionals’ practice when dealing with family diversity / Everri, Marina; Fruggeri, Laura; Venturelli, Elena. - In: SYSTEMIC PRACTICE AND ACTION RESEARCH. - ISSN 1094-429X. - 28:4(2015), pp. 297-314. [10.1007/s11213-014-9332-1]
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11381/2757902
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