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…

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)