Parallels in the Process of Achieving Personal Growth by Abusing Parents Through Participation in Group Therapy Programs or in Religious Groups.

Group therapy participation and religious conversion have been cited as sources of personal growth by a number of formerly abusive parents. The parallels in the dynamics of change for the two kinds of experiences are discussed in the context of the factors thought to lead to abuse. The data discussed were drawn from interviews conducted in a follow-up study of recidivism and discontinuation of abuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]