A Support Group for Patients and Families Facing Life-Threatening Illness: Finding a Solution to Non-Being.

This paper discusses groups consisting of patients with life-threatening illnesses and their families. An existential focal conflict concerning death, consisting of the wish to continue to be, opposed by the fear that non-being is inevitable, is described. This conflict and attempts at a group solution are presented as being reflected in various group properties, such as group composition, the role of the leader, group development and major therapeutic factors. It is concluded that the group provides a solution to the fear of nonbeing by functioning as a community where the memory of those who have died can be mourned, preserved and cherished. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]