Continuum of professional involvement in self-help groups

Abstract

Some self-help groups prohibit professional involvement (e.g., Alcoholics Anonymous), and other groups (e.g., Mended Hearts, a group for heart attack victims) have extensive involvement with professionals. Many theorists and researchers argue convincingly that groups which are professionally led are fundamentally different from peer-led self-help groups (Schubert & Borkman, 1991), and that professionals impact the behavior settings of the group (Toro, Rieschl, Zimmerman, Rapport, Seidman, Luke, & Roberts, 1988). Despite these discussions, there has been only a limited amount of research assessing the level and nature of professional involvement in self-help groups. The purpose of this study was to explore the roles of professionals in a random sample of self-help groups and to examine differences and similarities in the internal and external characteristics between: a) peer-led self-help groups with some professional involvement; b) peer-led groups with no professional involvement; and c) professional-led support groups. Results indicated that professional involvement in groups was common, but the extent and nature of that involvement varied greatly. Examination of groups' internal and external group characteristics indicated notable differences and similarities across differing levels of professional involvement. These findings indicate that the dichotomous view of comparing peer-led “self-help groups” versus professional-led “support groups” is artificial and that professional involvement in mutual aid is a continuum, with most groups having a moderate level of professional involvement. The implications for self-help researchers, clearinghouses, and groups are discussed in respect to this continuum, and in the light of changes created by managed care and welfare reform. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.