Discusses analysis of how members of self-help groups perceived professional involvement and dimensions of such involvement. Three categories were identified according to their main focus: groups dealing with health issues, groups dealing with alternative lifestyles, and groups based on the 12-step model. Analysis yielded two conceptually…

In recent years, mutual help groups have been formed to address problems in substance abuse, chronic physical illness, mental illness, marital disruption, and child abuse. Despite the proliferation of these groups, little research has been conducted to assess their efficacy or what happens in them. The nature of mutual help groups (N=32) was…

Forty-three undergraduates underwent stress induction and were then assigned to a paradoxical, stress management, or self-help treatment. In the stress management and self-help groups, better performance was exhibited by less stress-prone subjects. Initial stress proneness, continued stress, and resistance facilitated performance in the…

Outlines the development of a self-directed manual to aid in building portfolios, and reports on the evaluation of portfolios' effectiveness in presenting competencies. A portfolio of volunteer/unpaid administrative experiences has demonstrated validity and reliability in presenting skills to prospective employers. (Author)

A study of three Nigerian villages produced the following suggestions for improving the problems facing rural community development: democratic participative decision making, care in project selection, government incentives, promotion of adult literacy, and well-trained community workers. (SK)

Compared 38 residents in self-help senior residence to 36 in conventional senior residences on Sheltered Care Environment Scale, Self-Esteem Inventory, and Senior Housing Questionnaire. Found that self-help residents scored significantly higher than conventional residents on control, self-esteem, and social involvement. (Author/NB)

Reports a study that evaluated the appropriateness and effectiveness of a self-help manual for postsecondary education students who used smokeless tobacco. Students participated in groups that received either two or four sessions of support for using the self-help manual. Results indicated both groups produced similar cessation rates. (SM)

Followed 201 treated substance abusers for 6 months and found that Blacks and women were more likely to attend self-help groups and that measures of social stability did not predict attendance. Found that persons who attended groups had more severe problems in several domains. (Author/NB)

Assessed self-responsibility for wellness of incoming college freshmen (N=404). Found no need differences between male and female students. Found a positive relationship between grade point average and age and self-responsibility scores. Results suggest need for comprehensive self-help programs that promote individual self-responsibility for…

Examined relative impact of 3 intrapersonal resources (self-esteem, competencies, and life satisfaction) and duration of self-help group intervention on levels of depression and grief over time among 295 recently widowed adults. Found that, in general, resources examined had greater direct influence on outcomes than did intervention. (Author/NB)

Psychological well-being following mastectomy is a concern of rehabilitation psychologists as the life expectancy of women treated for breast cancer is increasing. Well-being can be threatened by stress that these women may suffer from the diagnosis of cancer and amputation of a significant body part. A study was conducted to examine the…

The case study examines the work of a coalition between certain women's groups in India and a nongovernmental charitable trust. The mission of the coalition is to empower Indian women, who generally possess neither land nor power, to care for their livestock. (CH)

Details a longitudinal field experiment on the effectiveness of a behavioral/self-help job-finding program--the job club. Employment service clients (N=46) received job club program or normally available (control) services. Follow-up data revealed a 74 percent employment rate for job club participants versus 22 percent for controls. (Author/JAC)

Studied participants identified as either people- oriented or task-oriented given group vocational counseling using a learning through interaction method, or a learning through individual problem solving method. Results show counseling approaches that were congruent with personality types were more effective in terms of amount of information…

Predelinquent and delinquent youths were given behavior modification, social skills, and self-management training. The youths demonstrated a decrease in the number of problem behaviors exhibited at home and in school. The benefits of a self-management approach to juvenile offenders are discussed. (Author)