Marathon Versus Weekly Encounter-Group Treatment on Self-Actualization: Two Years Later

Abstract

This study investigates the comparative ability of a marathon and a weekly encounter group to produce gains in self-actualization. The sub jects were twenty-three undergraduates who volunteered for each of the experiences. The marathon group was conducted for sixteen relatively continuous hours. The weekly group met for two hours, twice weekly, for four weeks-a total of sixteen hours. Both treatment groups, conducted by the same leader, received the same sequence of group exercises. A signifi cant group effect indicated that both groups increased their self- actualization scores from the pretest. No significant differences were found between the two experimental groups on self-actualization or per ceived adjustment to life events over the two-year follow-up. No signifi cant group differences were found on participants' retrospective ratings of short-term and long-term group effects. Among other issues, the possi bility that certain treatment goals may be selectively influenced by one time format over the other is discussed.