Participation In Support Groups Research Articles

Alcohol Use Disorder: Current and Emerging Therapies

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a medical condition characterized by problematic and unhealthy patterns of alcohol use ranging from frequent to heavy alcohol consumption. It is a well-recognized psychiatric syndrome that includes a broad spectrum of symptoms and behaviors associated with alcohol misuse. People with AUD don’t stop drinking alcohol despite emotional distress, social, occupational, or health problems. Pharmacological management of AUD depends on the patient’s condition to reduce the symptoms and improve the patient’s health. The US FDA approved three medications, namely naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram for the treatment of AUD. Apart from these medications, psychological therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and encouraging patient participation in support groups have been showing promising results. The present review briefly discusses the epidemiology, symptoms, stages, diagnosis, screening, and emerging psychosocial therapies and pharmacotherapy of AUD including approved and off-label uses of drugs and newer agents. Keywords: Alcohol use disorder, Acamprosate, Baclofen, Disulfiram, Gabapentin, Naltrexone, Nalmefene

Assessing the Impact of the Prostate Cancer Patient Empowerment Program (PC-PEP) on Relationship Satisfaction, Quality of Life, and Support Group Participation: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background/Objectives: The Prostate Cancer Patient Empowerment Program (PC-PEP) is a 6-month, home-based intervention aimed at enhancing mental health in men undergoing curative prostate cancer treatment. This exploratory secondary analysis evaluates PC-PEP's impact on relationship satisfaction, quality of life, and support group attendance among partnered participants. Methods: In a crossover randomized clinical trial ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03660085) of 128 men aged 50-82 scheduled for curative prostate cancer surgery or radiotherapy, 119 participants in relationships were included. Of these, 59 received the 6-month PC-PEP intervention, while 60 were randomized to a waitlist-control arm, receiving standard care for 6 months before starting PC-PEP. The intervention included daily emails with video instructions on mental and physical health, diet, social support, fitness, stress reduction, and intimacy. Outcomes were assessed using the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Prostate (FACT-P). Results: While relationship satisfaction remained stable, a significant improvement in emotional well-being was observed at 12 months in participants undergoing radiation therapy (p = 0.045). The PC-PEP intervention also led to significantly higher support group attendance at both 6 months (p = 0.001) and 12 months (p = 0.003), emphasizing its role in fostering social support and community engagement. Conclusions: The PC-PEP program effectively maintains relationship satisfaction and enhances emotional well-being, particularly in patients with fewer physical side effects. Its design promotes comprehensive care by integrating physical, psychological, and social support, making it a valuable resource for improving the quality of life in prostate cancer patients and potentially applicable to other cancer types.

The Role of Social Support in Substance Addiction Recovery: A Systematic Review

Recovery from substance addiction is a complex process that requires continuous physical and psychological support. Social support plays a crucial role in assisting individuals through the process of substance addiction recovery. This article presents a systematic review of the role of social support in substance addiction recovery by analyzing relevant studies from various academic sources. The findings indicate that social support, whether from family, friends, or community, significantly enhances individuals' motivation, resilience, and success in maintaining long-term recovery. Various forms of support, such as emotional, instrumental, and informational support, help individuals cope with the challenges of recovery. Additionally, participation in support groups and positive interpersonal relationships have been shown to accelerate the recovery process and prevent relapse. Therefore, social support is a key element not only in facilitating recovery but also in improving the quality of life for individuals dealing with substance addiction.

Does Online Social Support Affect the Eating Behaviors of Polish Women with Insulin Resistance?

Insulin resistance, a key factor in developing type 2 diabetes mellitus, is linked to various health conditions. The basis of its treatment is lifestyle modification. However, adherence to nutritional and other medical recommendations can be challenging for chronic disease patients due to many factors, including demographics, social context, gender, age, and the patient's baseline health condition. This study aims to evaluate the impact of online support group members on the diet quality of women with insulin resistance. This study was conducted as an online survey consisting of KomPAN (validated food frequency questionnaire) augmented with questions regarding using professional counseling and membership in support groups. The study covered 1565 women with insulin resistance, 1011 of whom were associated with the online support group. The mean pHDI (pro-health diet index) was 5.18 ± 2.69 in the support groups and 4.86 ± 2.69 in the control group (p = 0.0319. There were no significant differences in the nHDI (non-health diet index). We found that the pHDI is associated with financial situations, the household's situation, occupation education level, and medical or dietitian care, whereas occupation, medical, and dietitian care affect the nHDI. Membership in support groups is related to a higher pHDI and state of self-assessment of nutritional knowledge. Our study indicates a relationship between participation in online support groups and dietary behaviors and the subjective assessment of nutrition knowledge. Future research should focus on elucidating the mechanisms behind these influences and exploring how these communities can be optimized for broader public health initiatives.

Children’s routes to participation in support groups: motives, barriers, and benefits from children’s and parent’s perspectives

ABSTRACT In Sweden, preventive support groups for children exposed to domestic violence, substance abuse, or mental illness in the home are provided by local child welfare services. The stigma associated with parental problems and the involvement of child welfare services are barriers to children’s participation in support groups. This article examines the motives, barriers, and benefits according to children and parents by exploring children’s routes into such support groups. The analysis uses individual interviews with children with recent experience of support groups and their parents, guided by health belief and help-seeking models. The results show that children’s routes into child welfare services’ support groups depend on their parent’s motives and help-seeking actions and are linked to access to the broader support system. There are perceived barriers to participation such as stigma and the unwanted involvement from child welfare services, but there are also perceived benefits to be gained from talking to others and sharing experiences. The need to reframe our understanding of people’s engagement in preventive interventions in the context of child and family social work is examined.

MeSsy identities: an ethnographic exploration of a multiple sclerosis support group.

The following is an ethnographic study of a multiple sclerosis (MS) support group. This study underscores the importance of access to counternarratives for individuals with chronic illness and disabilities through organizational structures such as support groups. This work can help those with disabilities/chronic diseases, such as MS, because it provides a space for discussing the communicative forces that shape individual experiences of living with disability and chronic illness. Thus, this study seeks to understand how pharmaceutical representatives' and doctors' grand medical narratives influence the communication of MS support group attendees and their construction/performance of self. This study shows that participation in support groups provides a space to renegotiate identity in which new forms of self can develop external to the dominant discourse. The support group becomes a space where counternarratives of empowerment develop in the face of master narratives.

Evaluating the Effect of Participation in Bereavement Support Groups on Perceived Mental Well-Being and Grief Reactions.

The study aimed to evaluate the effect of participating in bereavement support groups on mental well-being and levels of grief and to gather information about participants´ experiences of participation. The programme consisted of six sessions over six weeks. Data were collected with the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS) and the Adult Attitude to Grief scale (AAG) as well as demographic and open-ended questions. 64 bereaved spouses returned at least parts of the study´s questionnaires before participating in the programme while 39 returned the complete WEMWBS and 36 the complete AAG both before and after participation. Most participants were women >60 years old. Participation in the programme resulted in a significant increase in perceived mental well-being and significantly lower levels of vulnerability in grief. Responses to open-ended questions revealed both positive and negative experiences. A lowered WEMWBS score and a relatively high AAG underscore the importance of providing services to the recently bereaved. Routine screening for complicated grief before participating in the bereavement support group sessions is recommended.

Support for people in mourning. The role of a social worker

Death is accessible, which directly concerns every person, but is also available to their loved ones who experience mouring. Mourning is a long process that covers experience many different feelings and different issues. The aim of the article is to discuss the form of support that a bereaved person can receive, standard support from social welfare institutions as well as from non-governmental organizations. There are many different forms of bereavement support in the social welfare system that may be available, such as financial support, specialist support (legal, psychological, family), crisis intervention, participation in support groups and help from a family assistant. However, there is a lack of in-depth scientific research among bereaved people and among social workers who provide support in practice and available analyzes show some gaps in the bereavement support system. Non-governmental organizations play an important role in helping adults and children in mourning.

Predictors of substance use disorder treatment and mutual support group participation among Black women across the criminal legal spectrum: A latent class approach

BackgroundThe purpose of this study includes: 1) identifying classes of substance-related needs among Black women, and 2) examining the effect of substance-related need classes and culturally-relevant factors on Black women’s use of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and mutual support groups. MethodsAs part of a longitudinal cohort study, Black women were recruited in prison nearing release, on probation, and in the community without involvement in the criminal legal system (CLS, n=565) and followed-up at 18-months. We conducted a baseline latent class analysis of substance-related needs among Black women. Logistic regression models adjusted for culturally-relevant factors to predict the use of treatment and frequency of mutual support group participation over 18-months among Black women who use drugs. ResultsFour classes by level of needs were found: low, daily marijuana use, high mental health, and high comorbidity. During the 18-month follow-up, women characterized by the high comorbidity need class and with higher scores of religious well-being were more likely to frequently participate in mutual support groups. Non-CLS-involved women were less likely to engage with both treatment and mutual support groups than women from the prison sample at 18-months. ConclusionsThis study highlights four distinct classes of substance-related needs among Black women, highlighting the complex patterns of behavior and within-racial group differences among Black women. Black women with high comorbidity needs were more likely to participate in mutual support groups, but the latent classes did not predict SUD treatment indicating other non-medical and social contextual need factors may be at play.

The Role of Social Media in the Experiences of COVID-19 Among Long-Hauler Women: Qualitative Study.

The extant literature suggests that women are more vulnerable to COVID-19 infection and at higher risk for developing long COVID. Due to pandemic mitigation recommendations, social media was relied upon for various aspects of daily life, likely with differences of usage between genders. This study aimed to explore the role and functions of social media in the lives of long-hauler women. Participants were purposively snowball-sampled from an online health promotion intervention for long-hauler women with COVID-19 from March to June 2021. During this time, one-on-one, semistructured interviews were conducted online until data saturation was agreed to have been achieved (ie, 15 interviews). Interview transcripts and field notes were analyzed using an emergent, inductive approach. In total, 15 women were enrolled. The main roles of social media included facilitating support group participation, experience sharing, interpersonal connections, and media consumption. Emergent themes demonstrated that participants rely on social media to fulfill needs of emotional support, social engagement, spirituality, health planning, information gathering, professional support, and recreationally for relaxation. As long-hauler women turn to social media to discuss symptom and health management as well as the intention to vaccinate, this study demonstrates both the associated benefits (ie, decreased isolation) and challenges (ie, misinformation, rumination, resentment, jealousy). The public health implications of these findings support the development of gender-tailored health promotion interventions that leverage the benefits of social media, while mitigating the negative impacts, for women with long COVID.

Peer Support for Caregivers of People Living with Posterior Cortical Atrophy in Melbourne, Australia: A Feasibility Study.

Posterior Cortical Atrophy (PCA) is a rare form of young-onset dementia that causes early visuospatial and visuoperceptual deficits. The symptom profile of Posterior Cortical Atrophy leads to very specific care needs for those affected, who often rely on informal caregivers (including friends and family). Rare dementia support groups can be useful for both patients and their caregivers to assist with knowledge sharing, psychoeducation, and the provision of psychosocial support. Despite this, few such support groups exist. The purpose of this study was to examine a PCA support group for caregivers of individuals living with PCA. We held a structured psychoeducation support group comprised of four sessions with the aim being to provide education, strategies for the management of the disease, and peer support. Caregivers' mental health and quality of life were assessed. The results of our study showed that support group participation was a positive experience and assisted with increasing the knowledge of caregivers and fostering social connections. We suggest that peer support groups may be beneficial for both people living with PCA and their caregivers. We recommend that future quantitative and qualitative research is conducted to further assess health-promotion benefits to people living with PCA and their caregivers, and to assess their development and implementation in different contexts.

The effect of participation in support groups on retirement syndrome in older adults

BackgroundRetirement and aging are phenomena that often occur simultaneously and lead to various physical and psychological changes in older adults. Retirement syndrome consists of symptoms such as feelings of emptiness, loneliness, uselessness, lack of clear understanding of future conditions and dissatisfaction with one’s performance after retirement. This phenomenon requires interventions to adapt to these changes. Considering the supportive role of nurses, the formation of support groups as an effective intervention in adapting to transitional stages is emphasized.AimsThis study aims to investigate the effect of older adults’ participation in support groups on retirement syndrome.MethodsThis Quasi-experimental study recruited a total of 80 retired older adults meeting the inclusion criteria from three Retirement Associations (Retirement centers for social security retirees are among the institutions that have been set up by the government and this organization to provide face-to-face and offline services to social security retirees, as well as providing some facilities to this segment of the society). in Iran, Research samples were randomly assigned to two intervention and control groups. The demographic questionnaire and retirement syndrome questionnaire were completed by both groups at the beginning of the study. Then, four support group sessions lasting 60 to 90 min were held twice a week for the support group, and eight weeks after the end of the intervention, the questionnaires were completed for both groups. The data were analyzed using statistical tests in SPSS version 16. The significance level was set at p < 0.05 for all tests.ResultsThe results of the covariance analysis showed that after the intervention, the feelings of helplessness and failure (p < 0.001), feelings of older and idleness (p = 0.027), and feelings of confusion and conflict (p = 0.002) were significantly less in the support group compared to the control group. In addition, the Feeling of trying and new direction (p < 0.001) was higher after the intervention. The paired t-test results showed that in the support group, the feelings of helplessness and failure (p < 0.001), feelings of older and idleness (p = 0.004), and feelings of confusion and conflict (p < 0.001) significantly decreased after the intervention compared to before it, while the feelings of trying and new direction (p = 0.004) significantly increased. Therefore, the results showed that after the intervention, there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in all components of the retirement syndrome.ConclusionThe results of this study show that participation of retired older adults in support groups can significantly improve all components of retirement syndrome, leading to an improvement in their quality of life and satisfaction.

A Transformative Journey Through Support Group Participation: Narratives of the Wives of Individuals With Alcohol Use Disorder.

The issue of alcohol use disorder (AUD) has received significant attention, with a primary focus on individuals directly afflicted by the disorder. This extensive focus, while necessary, often overlooks the profound impact that AUD has on the family unit, particularly on spouses who play a crucial role in the dynamics of coping and recovery. However, the psychosocial and emotional challenges encountered by wives of those with AUD have been largely neglected in both research and therapeutic interventions. This oversight not only minimizes their suffering but also overlooks their potential contribution to the recovery process, underscoring the need for a more inclusive approach to understanding and addressing AUD. Building upon this foundation, the current study delves into the less explored terrain of the psychosocial and emotional ramifications borne by wives of individuals suffering from AUD. By highlighting the pivotal role that these women fulfil in family dynamics, it seeks to shed light on the transformative effects of their engagement in support groups, aiming to demonstrate how these networks promote resilience, empowerment, and healing for both the women and their families, thus offering a more comprehensive perspective on AUD's impact on society. Employing a qualitative narrative research design, the study utilized purposive sampling to select 36 participants from the northern, southern, and central regions of Kerala, India. Data collection was conducted through in-depth interviews using a semi-structured interview guide. The interviews, conducted initially in the local language, were transcribed into English and analyzed using the constant comparative method, ensuring that ethical considerations were upheld throughout the research process. The results of the study illuminatethe multifaceted challenges faced by wives of individuals with AUD, including financial burdens, domestic violence, marital discord, and psychosocial issues. Notably, the participants reported a significant positive shift in their lives following their involvement in support groups, experiencing enhanced mental peace and tranquillity. This transformation enabled some participants to resume their education, engage with the community as role models and leaders, and reconstruct their lives. Most participants viewed their support group participation as a pivotal moment of hope restoration in their lives. The study reveals the necessity for integrating culturally sensitive support mechanisms into rehabilitation programs for families affected by AUD, advocating for broader adoption of support groups that cater to the specific sociocultural dynamics of affected communities.

Peer appraisal, participatory surveillance, and experiential mentoring: explicating communicative practices of participatory learning in an online support group for people with binging experiences

Much research has examined how participants in online support groups (OSGs) seek information or exchange social support while neglecting peer learning among users. Applying the perspective of community of practice (CoP), we conceptualize peer communications in OSGs as a participatory learning process of sharing and managing experiential knowledge. To explicate this learning process, we thematically analyzed 1,084 discussion threads in an anonymous Chinese OSG formed around binge eating. Our findings identified three informal strategies of participatory learning: (a) peer appraisal to validate shared suffering, (b) participatory surveillance to monitor peer progress, and (c) experiential mentoring to corroborate coping practices. This study elucidates the process by which OSGs generate, validate, and consolidate experiential knowledge through peer communication practices. It highlights the collaborative nature of knowledge construction within OSGs, in which members engage in bottom-up, trial-and-error approaches supported by their own experiential self-disclosures. Such a CoP allows participants to explore and test various coping strategies, fostering a participatory learning environment in which they can solicit or provide feedback based on their experiences.

Support Group Participation Among Patients With Alopecia Areata

This cross-sectional study describes support group use and experience among patients with alopecia areata.

Experiences of a peer group for people diagnosed with borderline personality disorder: A qualitative interview study.

There is a notable lack of literature evaluating peer support for people with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Peer-led groups have been shown to positively impact outcomes related to empowerment, hope, and self-efficacy beliefs for consumers diagnosed with serious mental illness and may also be a helpful option for those experiencing personality disorder symptoms. We outline the coproduction of a peer group for people with a lived experience of BPD and a qualitative analysis of feedback post-group participation. Twenty-two consumers participated in post-group interviews and described their experiences of peer support. Interview transcripts were coded, and three main themes were identified: growth and change, connection and feeling understood, and creating safety. The findings suggested that participation in a coproduced peer support group for people with a diagnosis of BPD facilitated positive personal transformation as well as opportunities to develop connection through shared experiences in a safe environment grounded in mutuality. These themes were particularly powerful for participants because they countered previous experiences of not feeling safe, understood, or equal when seeking treatment. These findings support the acceptability of implementing a coproduced group for people diagnosed with BPD in a community mental health setting.

Access to dermatologic care and provider impact on hidradenitis suppurativa care: global survey insights.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is an understudied disease, and current HS studies have focused on participants already connected to dermatologic care. We surveyed participants in online HS support communities to gain a comprehensive understanding of how provider type impacts HS disease management and the issues individuals with HS face when accessing care. From June 13 to June 30, 2021, we administered an anonymous cross-sectional online survey to HS Facebook support group participants who had a self-confirmed diagnosis of HS. Survey items assessed respondent demographics, primary HS provider, and barriers to HS care and pain management. Descriptive analyses are presented. The survey was viewed 5,168 times and 1,040 surveys met eligibility criteria (20.1%). Survey participants were 97% female and 72% White. Seventy-two percentage resided in the United States and 22% in Europe. Forty-seven percentage reported having a dermatologist as their primary HS provider, 38% reported a nondermatologist, and 15% reported no HS provider. We found that Asian race, full-time employment, private health insurance, and urban setting were each associated with higher rates of having a dermatologist as a primary HS provider. However, 43.7% of those with a dermatologist reported biologic use, as compared with 14.5% with nondermatologist HS providers. Our cohort was notably more severely impacted by comorbid diseases; 55.9% of our cohort had anxiety, 53.6% had depression, and 50.7% had obesity. Overall, 74.2% of our cohort reported experiencing stigma while accessing care for their HS. Participant recruitment via social media platform facilitates recruitment of individuals across the spectrum of healthcare access, but may introduce selection bias and favor well-resourced areas. Self-reported data may be subject to recall bias. Our study provides unique insights into the characteristics and experiences of individuals with HS across the spectrum of health care access.

Nurse Reports of Moral Distress During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

COVID-19 was devastating for many frontline nurses embroiled in health care's response. Most media outlets reported from several large metropolitan areas in New York, California, and Florida, leaving other regions to wonder about the extent to which their nurses were suffering. The purpose of this article was to understand the specific needs and experiences of Northeast Ohio nurses caring for patients with COVID-19 before designing interventions targeting negative mental outcomes. This phenomenological study interviewed 16 Northeast Ohio nurses to understand their experiences of caring for patients with COVID-19. Although not asked about it directly, the participants' stories consistently included details that could be linked to moral distress. Two themes describing their lived experiences included "acquiring moral distress" and "living with moral distress." Additional findings are also reported separately because although they do not represent the lived experience of COVID-19 nursing, they did represent significant concerns that participants had for the future and are reported here to assist other researchers with the intervention design. Furthermore, these participants thought that participation in support groups with other nurses who cared for COVID-19 patients and possibly led by mental health advanced practice nurses offered the best intervention to process their trauma from the pandemic. The long-term effects of moral distress have been discussed routinely in recent literature and are further complicated by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Threats to the shrinking workforce of nurses must be taken seriously and interventions to improve the mental health and morale of frontline nurses must be prioritized and tested.

Perceived Burden and Quality of Life in Caregivers of Patients with Schizophrenia in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province: A Cross-sectional Study.

Family Caregivers (FCGs) of patients with schizophrenia (PwS) may face unanticipated sources of stress and responsibility, which can negatively impact their quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to assess FCGs' QoL and the impact of clinical characteristics of patients and sociodemographic factors on their QoL. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study surveyed 340 FCGs from outpatient clinics of PwS in two large psychiatric hospitals in Saudi Arabia's eastern province using a convenience sampling approach. We used the Adult Carer Quality of Life (AC-QoL) scale, which has eight subscales and 40 items, to assess QoL. AC-QoL is translated into Arabic in this study. The study included 216 FCGs, with 127 (58.8%) being men, 117 (54.2%) being over 45 years old, 91 (42.1%) being a sibling of a PwS, and 82 (38%) being a parent of a PwS. The mean score in our sample was 78.2 ± 21.24 out of 120, indicating mid-range QoL. Lower QoL was associated with more time spent in caregiving per day, a lower educational level of FCG, and recent admission of PwS to an inpatient unit. PwS FCGs have a mid-range QoL. FCGs reported a moderate financial burden and low levels of support from healthcare professionals. FCG's QoL and stress can be reduced through healthcare providers, participation in a community support group, and addressing an FCG's in an individual setting.

Virtual(ly) no support: Associations between virtual support group participation and peripartum mental health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic

ObjectiveThis study examined associations between participation in virtual support groups for peripartum women and mental health outcomes at follow-up approximately 8 months later. MethodsThis cross-sectional online survey study assessed 383 women from the Perinatal Experiences and COVID-19 Effects (PEACE) study. Initial participants (T1) were re-contacted (T2) and self-reported mental health symptoms of depression (CES-D), anxiety (GAD-7), and COVID-related grief were assessed at both time points. Participants reported involvement in virtual support groups and their perception of the effectiveness of social media in addressing feelings of loneliness. ResultsThe majority (62%) of respondents participated in a virtual support group, 99% of whom used informal social media-based groups (e.g. Facebook groups). At initial evaluation, virtual group participants reported higher levels of depressive symptoms (p=0.008) and COVID grief (p=0.004), but not higher levels of anxiety. Across the cohort, self-reported depressive, anxiety, and grief symptoms did not change significantly at follow-up in paired analysis, and virtual group participants did not demonstrate improvement in mental health symptoms. ConclusionsParticipation in virtual support groups did not seem to improve mental health outcomes for peripartum women, and most women found social media engagement minimally effective at addressing loneliness.