The efficacy of bibliotherapy has primarily been investigated in anxiety disorders, depression, or substance dependence. The efficacy of self-help books to increase parenting competence was only investigated in a few studies despite their broad dissemination in public. The aims of the study were to investigate the short- and long-term efficacy of…

Nonadherence with homework assignments and, by implication, "barriers" to homework assignments are a frequent occurrence in the practice of standard cognitive therapy (Beck, A. T., Rush, A. J., Shaw, B. F., Emery, G. (1979). "Cognitive therapy of depression." New York: The Guilford Press). The clinical examples in this article illustrate some of…

Reports an attempt to validate a self-help behavioral marital bibliotherapy program. Evaluated five clinical distressed couples via a multiple baseline analysis. Treatment involved reading and exercises covering communications, problem solving, and sexual dysfunction. Results were highly variable and reflected minimal change. (BH)

Addresses the need for ethical and professional guidelines appropriate to the development and use of self-help career assessments. Discusses strengths and limitations of self-help career assessments. Identifies three criteria for evaluating these assessments (appropriateness, trustworthiness/soundness, emphasis on process) and presents an…

Examined whether adult drinkers would be willing to receive self-help and other minimal contact aids designed to help them drink more moderately. In a community survey of 316 adults, of whom over one-half reported drinking, drinkers most frequently requested newspaper articles on how to drink moderately, followed by radio and television programs.…

Investigated bereaved spouses' assessments of participation in self-help groups consisting of 8 weekly meetings with (n=52) or without (n=82) additional 10 monthly meetings. Regardless of group duration or leadership by professional or widowed peer, assessments were positive. Most commonly reported benefit participants hoped to gain was emotional…

Attempts to identify the root causes of individual stress have been made for centuries. The result has been the development of a myriad of approaches and explanations as to the cause of stress by psychologists, educators, researchers, and self-help authors. Each approach carries a degree of validity in the context that individuals experience…

Based upon empirically supported cognitive-behavioral treatment approaches, this paper aims to outline the use of homework to enhance the therapeutic relationship, patient motivation, and skills for managing delusions, hallucinations, and negative symptoms. The nature and timing of homework is outlined for the different phases of treatment.…

Consumer health publishers in mid-2007 recall those elliptical machine addicts--they have fallen into a safe holding pattern that should maintain their weight in the market. In other words, mind-body books and recovery memoirs are back, as are a bevy of diet and fitness manuals. People buy into the health and medicine genre--"Library Journal's"…

This work presents a self-help, Internet-based telepsychology program for the treatment of public speaking fears. The system is comprised of 3 parts: The "assessment protocol" gives the patient information about his or her problem (i.e., amount of interference it creates in his or her life, severity, degree of fear and avoidance). The…

This article introduces the notion of self-help as a unique form of self-directed learning that contains the inherent capacity to span the life-cycle. Self-help refers to the process that occurs within small, voluntary, peer-run, mutual aid support groups that offer the opportunity to overcome or cope with a common concern or problem. (JOW)

Argues that the needs of the bereaved are rarely met. Describes communication characteristics of self-help groups and offers evidence for their effectiveness. Suggests directions for future research. (MS)

Self help groups involving the cooperative efforts of professionals and hearing impaired persons are discussed and issues in their development highlighted by the example of one such local group. (CL)

Evaluated effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a behavioral self-help manual for weight reduction through the use of 126 community subjects. Results at posttreatment and three-, six-, and sixteen-month follow-ups supported the behavioral manual's effectiveness in producing modest weight loss. (Author)

Surveyed independent living centers (N=74) to identify prevalence and functions of support and self-help groups for people with disabilities. Results suggest that independent living center staff refer a significant number of consumers to self-help groups and that independent living centers sponsor a variety of such groups. (Author/ABL)