Personal growth self-help groups : origins, functions, issues and self-reports of participants

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dc.contributor.authorSiegal, Marilynen_US
dc.date.accessioned2024-08-15T18:22:59Z
dc.date.available2024-08-15T18:22:59Z
dc.date.copyright1978en_US
dc.date.issued1978
dc.degree.departmentFaculty of Education
dc.degree.departmentDepartment of Curriculum and Instruction
dc.degree.levelMaster of Arts M.A.en
dc.description.abstractThis study was undertaken to gain an understanding of personal growth self-help groups by (a) reviewing the literature, and (b) conducting a micro-study of local self-help groups The aim of the research was to describe the personal growth self-help group in terms of (a) its origins, (b) its role in mental health service delivery, and (c) the ex­perience it provides participants as could be learned from the self-reports of local self-help group members. The study was done in two parts. First, a review of the literature was undertaken to trace the evolution of factors leading to the emergence of the personal growth self-help group These factors were (a) social conditions creating the need for self-help groups, (b) developments in mental health intervention supporting the concept of self-help groups, and (c) developments in self-help groups. The Review of Literature also included a description of self-help groups today to gain an understanding of personal growth self-help groups in the context of the larger self-help group movement. The second part of the study involved a survey of local, Canadian self-help groups. A survey questionnaire was us ed to collect data from participants. The data were then compared with findings in the literature to see if the characteristics of local groups supported the statements made in previous studies. Speculations were made on the differing characteristics and needs of local groups. The results showed that most participants joined the groups for per­sonal growth purposes, seeking satisfying relationships and raising cultural consciousness The major problems reported by the groups were lack of focused discussion and inconsistent attendance and membership. The literature emphasized self-help groups as an alternative to professional helping services The participants in this study did not support. Rather, the participants in this study felt that the self-help group was an experience in itself, not necessarily an alternative or supplement to professional help The general attitude toward professional helping persons was neutral, neither strongly positive nor strongly negative. Many participants of the self-help groups indicated a desire for professional help as a result of their involvement in the self-help group. Most desired individual counseling or therapy for more intensive work on personal problems. Self-help groups are a valuable addition to mental health delivery systems They serve a primary preventive function in providing support networks for coping with daily stresses and potential crises. The liter­ature indicates a desire for an integration between professional and self­-help services.en_US
dc.format.extent138 pages
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1828/19687
dc.rightsAvailable to the World Wide Weben_US
dc.titlePersonal growth self-help groups : origins, functions, issues and self-reports of participantsen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US

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