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Does Self‐Help Help?
Author(s) -
Hinrichsen Gregory A.,
Revenson Tracey A.,
Shinn Marybeth
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
journal of social issues
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.618
H-Index - 122
eISSN - 1540-4560
pISSN - 0022-4537
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-4560.1985.tb01117.x
Subject(s) - scoliosis , psychosocial , medicine , life satisfaction , psychology , gerontology , physical therapy , family medicine , psychiatry , social psychology
This study evaluates the impact of participation in self‐help groups for people with scoliosis and their families. In a cross‐sectional study, adolescents with scoliosis, their parents, and adult scoliotics who attended scoliosis clubs (n=245) were compared with nonparticipants (n=495) who inquired about joining clubs. Although most members reported considerable satisfaction with the clubs, participation had no discernible impact on the psychosocial adjustment of the adolescent patients or their parents. Self‐help groups appeared to be most beneficial for adult patients, especially those who had undergone the most demanding medical treatment.