A Systematic Review of Group Counseling Interventions to Support the Wellness and Quality of Life for Adults With Chronic Illnesses.

Abstract

Chronic illnesses are a leading global health concern and are often accompanied by diminished wellness and quality of life (QoL). Group counseling, a theoretically grounded, professionally facilitated intervention, may serve as a promising approach to address these psychosocial challenges. This systematic review identified and analyzed 27 peer-reviewed studies that implemented group counseling interventions for adults living with chronic illnesses and reported wellness and/or QoL outcomes. Interventions varied in theoretical orientation, duration, delivery format, and illness focus. Across studies, group counseling demonstrated consistent benefits, including reductions in psychological distress, improvements in holistic wellness, and enhanced QoL across general and disease-specific domains. However, gaps remain, particularly in the measurement of group process variables and in the representation of diverse chronic illnesses. These findings represent the therapeutic potential of group counseling to support holistic health and highlight the need for more inclusive and process-oriented future research.