A case study among residents in the area of a water distribution project in the Philippines found that most respondents were willing in theory but reluctant in practice to contribute either funds of volunteered labor to self-help projects, and that they expected others (i.e. the government) to be responsible for project upkeep. (MF)

Examined effectiveness of 4 self-help books given randomly to 64 participants who had recently experienced divorce or breakup. Books were either behaviorally oriented, based on stage theories, or focused on general life crises. All groups significantly improved in depressive, general psychiatric, and loss-specific symptoms from pretest to posttest…

While self-help groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous are becoming more integrated into the professional substance abuse treatment network, many professionals are still hesitant to encourage clients to attend self-help groups after treatment. This study examined what factors predict the degree of cooperation between professional agencies and…

Volunteer groups improve the life of residents of New York's Harlem district. (CK)

Interviews with 47 health professionals and 49 members of self-help groups identified their views of the roles of professionals in such groups and characteristics of and barriers to effective partnerships. Trust building, empathy, understanding, and balance of power emerged as important themes. (SK)

Examined role of home practice of hand warming in thermal biofeedback treatment of migraine headache. Seventeen female migraine sufferers were assigned to thermal biofeedback with or without regular home practice. Subjects on home practice group experienced decreases in headache activity and medication intake that were both statistically and…

On basis of literature review, distinguishes support groups from self-help and treatment groups. Proposes open systems model for understanding factors that affect support groups, for guiding interventions, and for evaluating their outcomes. Describes four conceptual dimensions: environmental conditions; participant group characteristics; group…

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…

Text in Russian. Abstracts in English, French, and Spanish.

A discussion of the use of modules for self-paced learning at Allendale, Michigan. nHB)

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)

Available from: EC 090 265.

A program that embraces educational innovation only when the thought behind the change has been internalized is presented. (CK)

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…