A member of a therapy group for alcohol dependence feels profound relief when another member shares an identical history of relapse and shame, realising for the first time that he is not uniquely flawed. Which of Yalom's therapeutic factors does this illustrate?

• A Altruism
• B Imparting information
• C Instillation of hope
• D Universality ✓

Explanation

Universality is Yalom's term for the discovery that one's problems and feelings are shared by others, dissolving a sense of unique defectiveness. Altruism refers to gaining self-worth by helping others, instillation of hope comes from observing improvement in senior members, and imparting information involves direct advice or teaching. The scenario hinges on recognising shared experience, which defines universality alone.

Reference: Kaplan and Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry, 12th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.