The antigoup as a phenomenon. Reflection on the resistance in community groups of (inter)institutional articulation

Abstract

Objective – With this reflection, the author intends to contribute to a greater understanding of the group phenomena present in the work of inter-institutional articulation in the field of community mental health. Metodology - Based on her experience, the author reflects on the multiple forms of resistance that we can find in groups of professionals who intervene in the area of community mental health, namely the resistance that directly manifests itself in the inter-institutional articulation between professionals relating, among others, the anti-group concept, coined by Morris Nitsun, with the obstacles to the functioning of these inter-institutional groups. Results – Aggressive and destructive phenomena that can constitute resistances are identified and their origin is proposed in internal mechanisms such as transference, cleavages, projections and projective identifications. Conclusions – A groupanalytic thinking and understanding of the functioning of inter-institutional work groups is essencial so that the aggressive and destructive potential of groups is not devalued, ignored or stimulated, contributing to their success.