An experiment was conducted to contrast the effectiveness of Behavior Therapy administered in self, individual, or group therapy versus a no-treatment control condition. The therapy conditions were administered to two subgroups, high and low self reinforcers, as defined by Rosensky and Bellack (1976). The general hypothesis was that high self reinforcers would engage in countercontrol and therefore do poorly in group and individual therapy, but would lose weight in self therapy. Individual behavior therapy showed the best long term results, but self and group therapies also showed significant weight loss. It was also found that low self reinforcers as a group lost more weight than did high self reinforcers.

A quantitative, descriptive and exploratory study was undertaken. The purpose was to explore and describe the perceptions of hypertensive patients regarding hypertension support groups in Carletonville District in order to make recommendations based on the research findings that could lead to improvement of the quality of management of hypertensive patients. The study included 350 hypertensive patients who agreed to participate voluntarily in the study. A questionnaire was used to collect data, which was analysed by computer. The findings revealed that the hypertension support group had strengths and weaknesses. The strengths included providing moral support, health education and a sense of belonging. The weaknesses identified were prolonged support group sessions, domination by other group members and unresolved conflicts. Some patients could not attend the support group sessions regularly because of transport problems and employment. Other respondents felt that the nurse who facilitated the support group did not respect their cultural beliefs. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / Em resposta ao crescente consumo de Ãlcool e dos problemas relacionados, como uso prejudicial e/ou dependÃncia, o Brasil vem estabelecendo polÃticas pÃblicas como a de atenÃÃo integral a usuÃrios de Ãlcool e outras drogas que, por sua vez, destaca a atenÃÃo psicossocial baseada em uma rede de apoio organizada pelos Centros de AtenÃÃo Psicossocial (CAPS), articulada aos demais serviÃos de saÃde e dispositivos comunitÃrios. Grupos de auto-ajuda, como AlcoÃlicos AnÃnimos (AA), estÃo se tornando cada vez mais comuns, à medida que seus membros se organizam para conviver com o alcoolismo e resolver seus prÃprios problemas. Esta pesquisa objetivou apreender da vivÃncia de alcoolistas o modo como um grupo de auto-ajuda se constitui como dispositivo da rede de apoio social. Estudo descritivo, desenvolvido em um AA do municÃpio de Fortaleza â CearÃ, com 20 sujeitos maiores de 18 anos, que desejaram participar e se encontravam afiliados ao grupo escolhido por, no mÃnimo, um ano, frequentando regularmente as reuniÃes; e que apresentavam condiÃÃes fÃsicas e emocionais para responder aos questionamentos. Os dados foram coletados atravÃs de entrevista individual, utilizando-se um roteiro semi-estruturado; organizados em quadros; agrupados em quatro categorias que emergiram das falas dos entrevistados; o processo de anÃlise teve por base os preceitos da anÃlise de conteÃdo, de Bardin. Os resultados mostram as diferentes caracterÃsticas dos sujeitos quanto aos aspectos sociais, demogrÃficos e histÃricos de uso de drogas e vivÃncia de conseqÃÃncias adversas à sua saÃde, com interferÃncia negativa em todos os aspectos da vida: pessoal, familiar, social e econÃmica. Nos relatos, os sujeitos mencionaram a busca de ajuda espiritual, em serviÃos de saÃde e em um grupo de auto-ajuda para o tratamento da dependÃncia quÃmica; enfatizaram a contribuiÃÃo do AA na promoÃÃo da saÃde, nÃo somente pelo fato de restabelecer sua condiÃÃo fÃsica, mas, tambÃm, por ofertar subsÃdios para o empowerment e proporcionar a reinserÃÃo de pessoas com histÃrico de exclusÃo social. O grupo de auto-ajuda mostrou-se como dispositivo de apoio aos sujeitos estudados desde o acolhimento, perpassando pela oferta de um programa com metas atingÃveis, por funcionar como espaÃo que possibilitava a expressÃo do alcoolista, e por se articular com outros dispositivos da rede de apoio, fortalecendo-se enquanto tal. Com base na realidade apreendida, refletimos sobre a necessidade de, nÃs profissionais de saÃde, nos engajar mais na luta contra o uso de drogas psicoativas, tendo uma atuaÃÃo mais decisiva na construÃÃo de polÃticas e prÃticas que percebam e atendam esta condiÃÃo como problemÃtica de saÃde pÃblica complexa e que necessita de aÃÃes intersetoriais. Dada esta complexidade, esta participaÃÃo necessita de algumas condiÃÃes primordiais, como o reconhecimento da importÃncia de outros conhecimentos e dispositivos de apoio, e a realizaÃÃo de parcerias como estratÃgia de cuidado e inserÃÃo social. / In response to growing consumption of alcohol and its related problems, exemplified by harmful use and/or dependence, Brazil has been setting public policies such as full attention on alcohol and drugs users which, in turn, highlights the psychosocial care based on a support network organized by the Psychosocial Care Center (PCA), linked to other health services and community groups. Self-help groups as the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) are becoming increasingly common, as its members organize themselves in order to live and solve their own alcohol related problems. This research aimed to learn, from the experience of handling with alcoholics, how a self-help group develops itself as a social support network. The descriptive study took place in an AA from Fortaleza (CE), with 20 participants aged over 18 years-old, who wished to take part and were affiliated and regularly attending the group meetings for at least one year, and also were in physical and emotional conditions to properly respond the questionnaire. Data were collected through individual interviews, using a semi-structured road map and organized in tables, then grouped in four main categories that emerged from the interviewed testimonies. The analysis process was based on the precepts of BardinÂs Content Analysis. The results shows the diversity of characteristics about social, demographic and historical aspects related to the use of drugs, with a history of heavy use of alcohol and its adverse consequences to the health of the participants, including all sorts of negative interference in all aspects of their lives: personal, family, social and economic. It was reported by the participants the search for spiritual assistance in health services and self-help groups to drug-dependency treatment. It was also emphasized the AA contribution to the Health Promotion, not only because it restores their physical condition, but also by offering them subsidies for empowerment, and giving the possibility of reintegration of those ones previously victimized by social exclusion. The self-help group proved to be an efficient support environment to the participants, permeated by the offer of a program with attainable goals, by working as a space where the participant has a voice, and by its intersectorial ability of articulation within support network groups. Based on the perceived reality, comes the perception about the need of more health professionals engaged in the fight against the use of psychoactive drugs, taking a more decisive role in the construction of policies and practices that meet this condition and provide solutions for it. To the given complexity, this participation requires some key conditions, such as the recognition of the importance of knowledge from other areas and the capability of building partnerships as a strategy for care and social inclusion.

South Africa has the highest number of people living with HIV/AIDS in the world. The estimated 5,7 million South Africans that are living with HIV need comprehensive and holistic care. Psychosocial support is a vital aspect of care for HIV positive people. Support groups have been identified as a basic form of psychosocial support. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of support groups in the lives of HIV positive people in East London, Eastern Cape. A qualitative study design was implemented using focus group interviews to explore the role of HIV support groups. The research questions were designed to elicit responses pertaining to the needs, expectations and experiences of HIV positive support group attendees. Activities conducted in support groups as well as the attitude of support group members towards recruiting other HIV positive people to join the group were also explored. Findings revealed that the benefits of attending a support group included emotional and psychological support, sense of belonging to a “family”, assistance with disclosure issues, gaining information about HIV and treatment as well as material benefits such as food parcels and job opportunities. The greatest need of support group attendees was assistance in obtaining a Social Support or Disability Grant. A few negative experiences were reported which included: unfulfilled promises by people outside of the group, unfair allocation of grants and food parcels, as well as negative group dynamics at times. Support group members agreed that even though there were few negative experiences, the benefits clearly outweighed the negative experiences. Most participants agreed that they would recommend the support group to other HIV positive people so that they could also enjoy the stated benefits. In summary, the study concluded that support groups are very helpful in the lives of HIV positive people.

Development work focused on gender equality usually concentrates on easily measurable practical needs, but rarely on structural change and social justice. The purpose of the present research is to analyze a women’s grassroots organization’s (MBUP) role in promoting social change through Self-help groups, a medium commonly used to give women access to credit. The analysis explores how collective action can bring about structural change to oppressive gender norms. Drawing on a power-conscious feminist approach, the study involves 32 in depth qualitative interviews. The findings show that MBUP is promoting social change and women’s rights in certain ways, namely in creating social awareness in women, access to information for women, and active citizenship in women. However, the organization is limited in encouraging systemic change through the promotion of collective struggle. Moreover, while the organization is inclusive and displays diversity in the entirety of its structure, its critical introspection remains limited.

An increasing number of individuals are looking for health information, interacting with health care providers, and participating in health-related online support groups The virtual landscape of the internet offers the opportunity for individuals to establish contact and relationships with persons having similar health concerns anywhere, anytime The phenomenon of health-related social media use generated an interest in why persons in the transplant journey chose to participate in an online support community, how they interacted and made use of the online community, and how this knowledge could assist nursing in improving care for this growing population A six month sample of internet postings from an international transplant-related social media site was analyzed using an inductive qualitative content analysis adapted from Graneheim and Lundman (2003) within the theoretical lens of Unitary Caring Science (Smith, 1999) The study provided a unique perspective of how members used the social media support group The synthesis of four pandimensional interconnected patterns, expressing emotions, sharing experiences, exchanging information, and offering reciprocal support lead to a theme of being known and understood Healing transcendence emerged as a unitary transformative metatheme that reflected the holistic nature of the member interaction in the online support experience / Includes bibliography / Dissertation (PhD)--Florida Atlantic University, 2016 / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

This thesis concerns an alternative approach to the alcohol-addiction treatment within the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous and highlights the importance of self-help groups in the contemporary society. This worldwide biggest self-help group uses sociologically important processes to achieve a new way of life connected with sobriety. I have studied these processes through the participant observation. Alcoholics Anonymous influences its members through its specific culture which reflects in group rituals, high level of group affiliation, spirituality and co-constructed community story, which bears the member's knowledge. This thesis looks on the transition to identity of the sober alcoholic and the new way of living according to Twelve-Step program of Alcoholics Anonymous through the perspective of drift model of conversion, transition rituals or principles used in the narrative therapy. Within these processes there occurs radical reconstruction of perceptual, cognitive and behavioral schemes which influence the meanings in the interpretation of everyday life and consecutively change the identity of the individual and his social action. These changes of the individual are strengthened by the group members and then gradually spread out of the group boundaries too.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Self-Help Information Service (SIS) and to obtain information necessary for the improvement of the service. The study also described the development and operation of SIS and assessed the use and effect of the service. The evaluation of SIS was based on initial global utilization data and the results of participant satisfaction surveys targeted at four distinct groups: (1) Self-Help Project staff, (2) Tri-County Information and Referral Service staff, (3) self-help groups, and (4) callers of the service (potential members of self-help groups). The Self-Help Project and Tri-County I & R staffs represent staff samples; the self-help groups and potential members represent consumer samples.

This study addresses the importance of studies of human psychoneuroimmunology in understanding the role of psychological factors in cancer. Research trends in psychosocial aspects of cancer are reviewed, exploring the role of distress and the support group as an intervention which potentially reduces distress through enhancing interpersonal relationships, emotional adjustment and communication with health professionals, in these ways helping the patient to cope with the symptoms of treatment. In South Africa, most hospitals which treat cancer patients medically do not simultaneously have support groups for the newly diagnosed patient to join in order to discuss immediate fears and acquire more knowledge about their particular disease. Following an experimental cancer support group involving patients who had recently undergone a bone marrow transplant (some considerable time after their first cancer diagnosis) in Cape Town's Groote Schuur Hospital, the researcher, as one of the participants in the fortnightly meetings convened to dicuss psychosocial issues related to each patient's experience of the cancer and transplant process, transferred the themes, concepts and questions that arose in that scenario, to a cancer clinic in Pretoria where recently diagnosed patients were asked to volunteer to participate in such a group. It was felt that these patients would derive some benefit early in their treatment programme. Psychosocial concerns are left to the individual patient to seek therapy should it be required. Presently, it is reported in the body of knowledge about cancer, that interventions aimed at alleviating the psychosocial distress of cancer patients highlight hypnosis, guided imagery and relaxation therapy. It is contended that a more appropriate intervention for the majority of people with cancer in South Africa would entail a fellow-patient support group meeting on a regular basis. / Psychology / (M.A. (Psychology)

Bakgrund: Patienter med typ 2 diabetes har ett uttalat behov av stöd och kunskap för att utföra egenvårdsåtgärder, integrera sjukdomen i det dagliga livet för att hålla en bra blodsockernivå och därmed undvika sena komplikationer. Syfte: Syftet med studien var att beskriva de erfarenheter som personer med typ 2 diabetes erhållit genom att deltaga i en personcentrerad stödgrupp. Metod: Studien genomfördes med en empirisk kvalitativ design med induktiv ansats. Elva personer som hade deltagit i stödgrupp för personer med typ 2 diabetes deltog i semistrukturerade intervjuer. Konventionell kvalitativ innehållsanalys ansats användes vid analysen. Resultat: Deltagandet i en personcentrerad stödgrupp för personer med typ 2 diabetes innebar att de fick träffa andra personer med samma sjukdom men med skilda livssituationer och erfarenheter, vilket utgjorde en grund för diskussioner och reflektioner där de fick ny kunskap och förståelse. Stödgruppens utformning och process med förutbestämda teman, närvaron av professionella diabetessjuksköterskor och det öppna samtalsklimatet där deltagarna fick delge sina åsikter ansågs mycket givande. Konklusion: Genom medverkan i stödgrupper erhöll deltagarna nya insikter och perspektiv på den egna livssituationen. De fick också insikt i att dagliga livet kräver olika lösningar för olika personer. / Background: Patients with type 2 diabetes have an expressed need of support and knowledge to perform self-care interventions, to integrate the illness in daily life as well as to avoid complications. Aim: The aim of this study was to identify and describe the experiences of participating in a support group in patients with type 2 diabetes. Method: The study was performed with an empirical qualitative design with an inductive approach. Eleven participants who had attended the support group for patients with type 2 diabetes participated in semi-structured interviews. Conventional qualitative content analysis was used in the analysis. Results: Participation in a person-centered support group for patients with type 2 diabetes meant that they met others with the same disease but with different life situations and experiences, which provided a basis for discussions and reflections where they received new knowledge and understanding. The design and process of the support group with preselected themes, the presence of professional diabetes nurses and an open debate atmosphere where participants could share their opinions were considered rewarding. Conclusion: Participants in the support groups were given new insights and perspectives on their own life situation, and also a realization that the problems of everyday life demand are individual and requires various solutions.