Advanced Search

The American Journal of Psychiatry, VOL. 135, No. 5

REGULAR ARTICLES | May 01, 1978

The "relief effect": a sociobiological model for neurotic distress and large-group therapy

Am J Psychiatry 1978;135:588-591.

Article

text A A A

PDF of the full text article.

Abstract

The author discusses the new discipline of sociobiology. He develops the hypothesis that relief of neurotic distress may be associated with experiencing social affiliation and presents data that demonstrate a decline in neurotic symptom intensity in individuals who joined a cohesive religious sect. Anthropological and ethological evidence for the adaptive value of this "relief effect" provides a basis for the evolution of this trait. The author proposes a corresponding model for psychotherapy in large groups.

Figures in this Article

Your Session has timed out. Please sign back in to continue.

Username

Password

Sign in via Athens (What is this?)

Athens is a service for single sign-on which enables access to all of an institution's subscriptions on- or off-site.

Forgot Password?

Not a subscriber?

Subscribe Now/Learn More

Purchase Online access to this article for 24 hours

PsychiatryOnline subscription options offer access to the DSM-IV-TR® library, books, journals, CME, and patient resources. This all-in-one virtual library provides psychiatrists and mental health professionals with key resources for diagnosis, treatment, research, and professional development.

Need more help? PsychiatryOnline Customer Service may be reached by emailing PsychiatryOnline@psych.org or by calling 800-368-5777 (in the U.S.) or 703-907-7322 (outside the U.S.).

CME Activity

There is currently no quiz available for this resource. Please click here to go to the CME page to find another.

Submit a Comments

Please read the other comments before you post yours. Contributors must reveal any conflict of interest.
Comments are moderated and will appear on the site at the discertion of JBJS editorial staff.

* = Required Field

Comment Author(s)*(if multiple authors, separate names by comma)

Example: John Doe

Affiliation & Institution*

Comment Title*

Comment*

Cancel

Topics

Product Recommendation

CME Activity