There are several definitions of what a group is, and, as a result,

there seem to be many apparently conflicting definitions. According to

Merriam Webster’s Dictionary, a group is a number of people or things

that are together or in the same place. Another source also defined group

as a collection of interacting individuals who have common purposes.

To some extent, each member influences and is in turn influenced by the

other member. These groups are often formed for a variety of reasons.

(Stanhope, 2004)

In other words a group is organic and intentional, and not just

some random experience. People come together in a group in order to

satisfy and meet some common need or interest. A network of social

relationships is generated within which members accept or reject each

other and engage in selected activities. As they do so, roles become

established, and values and norms of behavior emerge, through which

individuals can modify and influence each over time.

At birth, we are introduced into our first, small, and intensely

personal group called the family. This group offers human being

protection and identity. It also offers an opportunity to develop and

individuate from the mass experience of humanity as well as providing a

qualitative aspect to life.

In the community settings, working with groups is an essential

component of the public health and the community health nursing

practice. Community health nurses achieve most of their success in

meeting goals through the work of groups than when they work

individually. In the course of their professional activities, nurses work

with a variety of groups to achieve population health promotion and

restoration goals. Working with groups can bring a wider range of

resources, skills and talents to bear on complex health issues. It also

provides a means of decision making that allows multiple and

sometimes conflicting views to be evaluated and synthesized.

Despite the advantages it offers, working in groups almost

invariably presents challenges and disadvantages. Groups aren’t always

successful at reaching their goals. Most people working in a group

unconsciously perceive the situation as competitive and this will

generate a behavior which is destructive and drains the creative energy

of the group. Some members may not be as committed compared to

others in doing effectively their tasks which can hamper then the group’s

effort to grow. Because of these, nurses must learn to efficiently develop

work groups in order to engage the community and its resources in a

partnership for the attainment of health goals.

STAGES OF GROUP DEVELOPMENT

Like individuals and families, in order to become a productive and

a functional unit a group must through several stages of growth and

development. Groups move by stages from a collection of unique,

diverse individuals with conflicts to a cohesive group that maintains

itself and achieves ongoing tasks and goals. Each member must deal

with the issues and task that may accompany in every stage before

progressing onto the next.

There are five major stages of group development. These are the

stage of orientation and dependency, the stage of conflict, the stage of

cohesiveness, the work group stage, and the termination stage.

The Stage of Orientation and Dependency

This is the initial stage of group development, in which individuals

assemble into a well-defined cluster. The first few minutes, hours, days,

or even weeks of a newly formed group’s life are often marked by

tension, guarded interchanges, and relatively low levels of interaction.

Because the group’s structure has not develop yet, the members are

often uncertain about their role in the group, what they should be doing

to help the group reach its goals, or who is even leading the group.

With time, tension is dispelled as the ice is broken and group

members become acquainted. After the initial inhibitions subside, group

members typically begin exchanging information about themselves and

their goals. To better understand and relate to the group, individual

members gather information about their leaders’ and co-members’

personality characteristics, interests, and attitudes.

The early group can be described then as a groping, testing,

reluctant, and a dependent group. The leader is expected to provide the

group with structure and answers. The interaction in this stage is from

the leader to the members and the responses of the members are in turn

directed back to the leader. Interactions among members are rarely

observed that why the leader should initiate opportunities to encourage

members to respond to others in the group.

The Stage of Conflict

This is the second stage of group development in which group

members develop roles and relationships and competition and conflict

generally occur.

As the relatively mild tension caused by the newness of the group

wanes, tension over goals, procedures, and authority often occurs. This

stage is marked by personal conflicts between individual members who

discover that they just do not get along, procedural conflict over the

group’s goals and procedures, and competition between individual

members for authority, leadership, and more prestigious roles.

Conflict is not just unavoidable; however, it may be a key

ingredient for creating group cohesion. If conflict escalates out of

control, it can destroy a group. But if necessary interventions are

employed, the group can be helped to surpass the issues on dependence

and authority. New values and behavioral patterns may emerge out of

the emotional experiences and members may begin to accept their full

share of responsibility.

The Stage of Cohesiveness

This is the stage when emotions have begun to cool down, and

practical rules of behavior become established. The group has weathered

some conflicts and seeks now to develop norms conducive to group

cohesion and working together effectively.

Groups in the third stage of group development become both

unified and organized. Mutual trust and support increase, members

cooperate more with each other, and members try to reach decisions

through consensus. Differences of opinion may still rise, but now they

are dealt with through constructive decision and negotiation.

The Work Group Stage

In this stage, the group uses its interpersonal structure to

accomplish its goals, and group’s energy is directed toward the

performance of the task.

Few groups are productive immediately; instead, productivity must

usually wait until the group mature. The more “mature” a group, the

more likely the group will spend the bulk of its time working rather than

socializing, seeking direction, or arguing.

The Termination Stage

This is stage when the group separates from one another. This is a

time for celebration, rituals, and closure. There may be some resistance

to ending. Sometimes this can be temporary as when a particular session

or meeting ends. At other times this can be a permanent one, when the

groups’ reason for being ends or when the project or program has been

accomplished. The tasks of the group at this stage may include finishing

the agenda, establishing key decisions and completing the group project,

tying up loose ends and writing off unfinished business.