Abstract
Self-help groups have become important resourcesfor families of persons with mental illness. The presentstudy was an attempt to understand the factors perceivedby group members as helpful using Yalom's factors in clarifying the dynamics of groups.Members (N = 202) of the Alliance for the Mentally Illof Pennsylvania (AMI of PA), an association of self-helpgroups for families of the mentally ill, were recruited and responded to a self-administeredquestionnaire. Hierarchical block multiple regressionindicated that those AMI members who felt informationprovision and gaining support and self-understanding from the group process was helpful and werelonger term participants in their group were more likelyto perceive benefit from belonging to the group. Thefindings may provide the basis for evaluating and improving self-help group effectiveness andcontribute to understanding process factors within aself-help group which members find beneficial.Implications for how these groups can attract andmaintain members are discussed.
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Citron, M., Solomon, P. & Draine, J. Self-Help Groups for Families of Persons with Mental Illness: Perceived Benefits of Helpfulness. Community Ment Health J 35, 15–30 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018791824546
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018791824546