Surveyed 247 social workers to investigate their use of community self-help groups as a resource for clients. Results indicated social workers were aware of self-help groups and their benefits, but agencies do not have policies that encourage their use. (JAC)

Evaluated the effectiveness of a multicomponent program designed to enhance the maintenance of weight loss in moderately obese clients (N=43). Results of 15- and 21-month follow-up assessments revealed that the multicomponent program significantly enhanced the maintenance of weight loss. (LLL)

Von Bergen, Soper, Rosenthal, and Wilkinson examine four alternative training methods (subliminal self-help, meditation, mental imagery/practice, and neurolinguistic programming), concluding that only mental practice is supported by scientific evidence. Watkins takes issue with their dismissal of qualitative evidence. Their rejoinder asserts the…

Smokers (n=2,021) received experimental self-quitting guide emphasizing nonaversive behavioral strategies; same guide with support guide for family and friends; both guides plus telephone counseling; or control group guide of motivational and quit tips. Controls achieved quit rates similar to those of subjects using experimental guide. Telephone…

Tempermant provides a framework for appreciating and supporting individual differences of children while prompting ways to skillfully handle their behavior. The science of temperament and its applications also assists clinicians in exploring and improving the transactional patterns that occur between children and their environment. Article…

Presents a content analysis of the top ten self-help books on the New York Times best-seller list over a ten year period to determine the degree to which the books empower individuals to resist gender-based socialization messages. The four best sellers contained advice for both genders to behave consistently with traditional gender socialization,…

Cognitive therapy as espoused by A. T. Beck (A. T. Beck, Rush, Shaw, & Emery, 1979) is increasingly used as a therapeutic modality and applied to a variety of cultural groups throughout the world. However, the majority of the literature on empirical and clinical practice has been focused on the use of cognitive therapy for Western cultures. In…

To empirically verify the usefulness of self-help approaches to coping with life problems and to help meet the needs of single fathers who had custody of their children, a self-help group composed of seven recently divorced fathers was formed. All seven participants were receiving individual counseling for various psychological problems they were…

SHARP is a hospital-based, self-help program for treating alcoholic veterans, which involves them in assuming major roles in governing the program and in helping one another. Because follow-up support is essential to maintaining sobriety, SHARP created an active social support system in the community. (Author)

Examined techniques of persuasion used in self-help organization for persons with mental problems. Concludes that successful affiliation with the group is a conversion process and that, although acceptance of the organizational ideology may facilitate an individual member's recovery, it simultaneously reinforces an understanding of mental problems…

Study follows a collaborative support group project between a team of health professionals and a Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients' group. While advantageous for professionals to decide upon the aim of a joint intervention in dialogue with participants, simply asking participants what their aims are does not guarantee actual agreement. Case study…

Five case studies of individual and collective learning projects in India demonstrate that (1) the impetus for civic action arises from local conditions; (2) transformative action requires sustained adult learning; and (3) civil society is a complex concept reflecting diverse priorities and perspectives. (SK)

Interviews with 120 rural Nigerian women found that 96% participate in self-help community development projects and 68% were engaged in farming. Constrains on participation included domestic responsibilities, lack of funding and resources, male domination, and politics. There was a significant relationship between their sociocultural beliefs and…

Discussions with women in rural areas of India analyzed government-initiated development programs regarding availability of information, suitability to women's needs, and perception of problems. Most programs were top down with little input form women; self-help approaches problematized the "self" and did not consider the realities of…

Evaluated a self-help treatment manual consisting of stimulus control, rapid smoking, and coping relaxation techniques. While the overall program was moderately effective, groups did not differ in percentage of baseline smoking or in number of subjects abstinent at posttreatment. Implications for self-help smoking reduction manuals are discussed.…