A note on old and young in helping groups.

Compared group behaviors in helping-group contexts for age-homogeneous groups of elderly and young adults. Ss were attending either 2 local senior citizen centers (mean ages 73 and 70 yrs) or adult education courses (mean age 69 yrs), or were college students in psychology courses (mean age 19 yrs). Different and similar patterns of group process frequencies were examined. The dimension of self-disclosure, which was observed more frequently among the elderly, is evaluated. Differences between the age groups on this dimension are explored in terms of identity issues across the life span and differential awareness of shared problems. Implications for group helping interventions among the elderly are considered. (9 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)