Final answer:
The two members discussing sports gambling in a medication self-management group are forming a Subgroup, which diverts the group's focus from its primary goals.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the scenario described, the two members of a nurse-led group on an acute mental health unit are displaying behavior that can be characterized as forming a Subgroup. This occurs when a small number of group members start to interact among themselves about topics that are different from those the whole group is meant to be addressing. Their discussions on the common interest in sports gambling detract from the main focus of the group, which is the self-management of medications. It is an example of how subsets of a group can form with distinct interests or agendas, which is a natural dynamic within larger groups.
In group therapy settings, especially those dealing with complex and sensitive issues such as mental health and substance abuse, the facilitator must be vigilant of subgroups. These subgroups can cause a drift away from the main focus of the group, potentially reducing the effectiveness of the therapy for the entire group. Strategies to address the emergence of subgroups include bringing the conversation back to the group's main goals or, if the subgroup's interest is shared by others and is beneficial, integrating it into the larger group discussion.