Table 5 Proposed 5 subscales and item reliability

1. Sharing of emotions and experiences

8.13

3.00

.725

.730

1. Within the group I shared my personal experiences and life problems.

2. I met people in the group who were experiencing the same problems as me.

12. I was able to recognise my feelings in the group.

17. I talked with others about my suffering in the group.

2. Cognitive Improvement

10.02

2.56

.742

.743

30. I paid attention to what others said in the group.

33. I could remember what was said in the group.

35. I expressed my thoughts clearly in the group.

36. I listened to others carefully in the group.

3. Group Learning

8.19

2.82

.702

.702

19. I understood the reasons for my behaviour in the group.

21. In the group, I understood better how I usually deal with my problems.

23. I learned how to manage good interactions with others in the group.

29. In the group, I realised how much my behavioural problems have improved.

4. Difficulty in open expression

11.04

3.88

.845

.845

13. It was hard for me to talk about my problems in the group.

16. I was afraid to express my opinion in the group.

18. I hid my feelings in the group.

38. I found it difficult to express my thoughts clearly in the group.

5. Relationships

8.68

2.89

.753

.759

5. I was helped by others in the group.

6. I socialised with others in the group.

8. I built relationships of trust with others in the group.

9. I met new and positive people in the group.

Scale Total

46.06

10.14

.849

.852

Sum of above items