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

there seem to be many apparently conflicting definitions. According to

Merriam Websters 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 arent 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 groups
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 groups life are often marked by
tension, guarded interchanges, and relatively low levels of interaction.
Because the groups 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
groups 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 groups 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.