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)

Suggests that the single most important common denominator of the various types of self-help groups examined may be that the role of the person who has already lived through the experience is critical for helping others. (Author/AM)

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)

Both urine alarms and dry bed training (DBT) have been used in the treatment of enuresis. To investigate the acceptability of the most recent version of DBT and urine alarm training, two studies were conducted. In the first study, the evaluation of 42 parents, who had participated in an 8-week program of either DBT or urine alarm training, were…

Implemented weekly self-help group for female anorexics and bulimics. Eighteen women who had consistently attended sessions evaluated group six months after it had begun. Found that self-help group benefited most members. Discusses findings in relation to curative factors of such groups. Offers suggestions for professionals interested in…

A self-administered assertiveness training program trained refusal of unreasonable requests from strangers and close relationships. Comparison with a placebo program indicated the assertiveness program produced superior effectiveness of assertion, content of assertion, verbalization of assertion-related obligations, persistent assertive…

Despite the widespread nature and significant impact of trichotillomania (TTM), relatively few controlled studies have evaluated treatment options for people with this disorder. Pharmacological treatment and behavior therapy are the two most widely accepted approaches to treating TTM, but few mental health professionals with appropriate expertise…

This study examined Toughlove, the controversial self-help organization for parents and out-of-control adolescents. Six small group Toughlove meetings containing an average of 8 members for each were observed, and questionnaires were completed by 75 Toughlove parents from 8 states. Variables examined include the roles of empathy, assertiveness…

Church-based programs for caregivers of black elders have emerged from both demographic and cultural factors. To investigate the effectiveness of a training program for caregivers of noninstitutionalized elders, 95 Washington, D.C. adults (99% black, 87% female), who were providing caregiving assistance to an older adult, completed a 12-hour…

This paper demonstrates how the professional and self help groups can cooperate in offering direct client assistance. The author discusses the potential uses of the self help group by the professional counselor, and then examines these three dimensions of organized self help groups which should be considered: (1) their basic posture with respect…

Self-help training is most effective when it involves assessing skills and deficits prior to training; developing training goals based upon consideration of the individual's ultimate level of functioning; preparing the training environment; implementing effective training programs; evaluating training effectiveness; and promoting maintenance and…

Severely handicapped students (N=16) were instructed in the receptive understanding of prepositions, color discrimination, and dressing skills. The results demonstrate no significant difference in acquisition of prepositions and color discrimination between instructional formats, but a significant difference in favor of individual instruction is…

This study sought to determine if a school management system requiring self-management and academic performance as requirements for admittance to the school would effectively increase student attendance. Subjects were 73 children attending the Auburn Alternative Junior High School, a public school program for problem children. (Author/SJL)

While numerous approaches to inhibit smoking have appeared in the literature, self-management is one technique that allows the client to take a more active part in the treatment. To study the effectiveness of self-management in a single-subject design, an 18 year old female college student who smoked mostly on weekends was told to self-monitor her…

A recent review of published and unpublished data suggests that the elderly are underrepresented in most self-help groups. Some national groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous do serve the aged but many others such as widow groups do not. A recent national survey of over 3,000 households conducted by Mellinger and Balter examined the use of…