OBJECTIVE: To identifyg the evidence of Therapeutic Factors (TF) for the systematized evaluation of a support group. METHODS: Descriptive study developed in a hospital in Goiânia GO, in 2005/2006. Ten sessions of the Inpatient Family Support Group (GRAF) were registered with a digital recorder, field journal and a check list filled out by the coordinators in order to identify TF observed in the participation of each family member. Later, these records were cross-checked so as to analyze this participation. RESULTS: GRAF had an average of 6.9 participants per session. The following TF were identified: universality, imparting of information, cohesiveness, existential factors and instillation of hope. CONCLUSION: These TF were useful in the evaluation of the GRAF results, suggesting their convenience to evaluate results in other support groups.
Group processes; Self-help groups; Intensive care units; Family
