Support Group Program Research Articles

Pedometer-based walking intervention with and without group support among sedentary adults in primary care patients in north-east Malaysia: a randomized controlled trial

Background: Many studies have shown that pedometer is an effective motivational tool to promote walking however there is lack of evidence which combines pedometer and group support in motivating patient to increase their physical activityObjective: To determine the effectiveness of pedometer and group support versus pedometer only on physical activity level and cardiovascular risk factors among sedentary adults in north-east MalayMethods: This was a prospective randomized comparative trial. Eighty participants were randomly assigned to pedometer-based walking program plus group support ( N=40) or pedometer-based walking program only (N=40) for 12 weeks. Both groups received physical activity counselling. The intervention group had monthly group meeting for support, motivation and also walking activities. Measurements for step-counts, 7-day physical activity recall, body mass, BMI, waist and hip circumference, blood pressure, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and fasting blood sugar were taken at baseline and at week 12. Analyses were performed using repeated measures ANOVA and analysis of co-variance (ANCOVA).Results and Discussion: Sixty two participants completed the study. The mean age in the intervention group were 48 (4.43) years old and 47 (5.08) years old in the control group. There were significant improvements in the intervention group in terms of step-counts (p < 0.001), weight (P<0.05) and BMI (p>0.05) compared to control group. However there was no significant difference in term of other health outcome.Conclusion A pedometer-based walking program, incorporating a physical activity consultation and group support, is effective in promoting walking and improving health outcome in community based individuals. Studies of longer duration need to be done to see the sustainability of the above intervention.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.17(1) 2018 p.52-57

APA Confers APEX Awards on Legislators, Other MH Advocates

APA Confers APEX Awards on Legislators, Other MH Advocates

Evaluation of the expect respect support group program: A violence prevention strategy for youth exposed to violence

In the present study, we assess the effects of the Expect Respect Support Groups (ERSG) on frequency of teen dating violence (TDV) and general youth violence. ERSG is a school-based violence prevention program for youth who have been exposed to violence in their home, school, or community. Boys and girls (N=1,678, Mage=14.3, S.D.=1.7, Range=11-17) from 36 schools in Texas participated in this accelerated longitudinal (7-year trajectory) study beginning in 2011. Latent growth curve analyses were conducted using three waves of data from three cross-sectional cohorts of adolescents. Among boys, the number of ERSG sessions attended related to incremental declines in psychological TDV perpetration and victimization, physical TDV victimization, sexual TDV perpetration and victimization, reactive aggression, and proactive aggression. Girls attending ERSG demonstrated reductions in reactive and proactive aggression. The present findings suggest ERSG may be an effective cross-cutting strategy to reduce TDV and other forms of violence among high-risk boys and possibly girls. This information provides valuable understanding of TDV and youth violence in high-risk populations and may be useful in tailoring future prevention efforts to different groups of teens.

Grupa wsparcia dla osób w żałobie jako forma profesjonalnej pomocy psychologicznej osobom osieroconym

ENWEndNote BIBJabRef, Mendeley RISPapers, Reference Manager, RefWorks, Zotero AMA Mikulska M. Bereavement support group program as a form of professional psychological help for the mourner. Psychoonkologia. 2017;21(2):66-73. doi:10.5114/pson.2017.71382. APA Mikulska, M. (2017). Bereavement support group program as a form of professional psychological help for the mourner. Psychoonkologia, 21(2), 66-73. https://doi.org/10.5114/pson.2017.71382 Chicago Mikulska, Magdalena. 2017. "Bereavement support group program as a form of professional psychological help for the mourner". Psychoonkologia 21 (2): 66-73. doi:10.5114/pson.2017.71382. Harvard Mikulska, M. (2017). Bereavement support group program as a form of professional psychological help for the mourner. Psychoonkologia, 21(2), pp.66-73. https://doi.org/10.5114/pson.2017.71382 MLA Mikulska, Magdalena. "Bereavement support group program as a form of professional psychological help for the mourner." Psychoonkologia, vol. 21, no. 2, 2017, pp. 66-73. doi:10.5114/pson.2017.71382. Vancouver Mikulska M. Bereavement support group program as a form of professional psychological help for the mourner. Psychoonkologia. 2017;21(2):66-73. doi:10.5114/pson.2017.71382.

Support group programme for siblings of children with special needs: predictors of improved emotional and behavioural functioning

Purpose: A pilot study to identify the predictors of improvement in emotional and behavioural functioning of siblings of children with special needs following participation in SibworkS, a six-week manual-based, cognitive–behavioural group programme.Method: Data from 36 participants from a recent evaluation of the SibworkS programme was used. Measures were administered pre-intervention, immediately post-intervention and three months post-intervention. Treatment effects were measured using change scores for siblings on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire – Parent Version (SDQ). Seven predictors were analysed: symptom severity of the child with special needs, participant age and gender, sibling birth order, family socio-economic status, participant baseline SDQ score and participant use of additional support services.Results: The overall model significantly predicted change in SDQ scores at post-intervention and follow-up (adjusted R2 = 0.41 and 0.40). At both evaluation points, SDQ change scores were significantly predicted by baseline SDQ score. Furthermore, symptom severity of the child with special needs was a significant predictor at three months post-intervention.Conclusions: Poorer emotional and behavioural functioning among participants and symptom severity of the child with special needs were associated with greater intervention effects. These results indicate that SibworkS is likely to be beneficial for siblings who have difficulties adjusting, and siblings of children with more severe special needs.Implications for RehabilitationSiblings of children with disability are at increased risk of emotional and behavioural difficulties.Sibworks is a manualised group-based intervention for the siblings of children with a disability.Poorer emotional and behavioural functioning among participants and symptom severity of the child with special needs were associated with greater intervention effects.SibworkS is likely to be beneficial for siblings who have difficulties adjusting and siblings of children with more severe disabilities.

Characteristics and effectiveness of group support programs for informal caregivers - a systematic review / Design und Erfolg von Gruppenschulungen für pflegende Angehörige – eine systematische Übersichtsarbeit

Abstract In Germany 1,76 million people are in need of care to live at home. Most of them (1,18 mill.) receive that care from members of their own families. German informal caregiver training programs are paid for by the compulsory long term care insurance. Nevertheless there are only very few published national curricula or evaluations of training courses. Therefore we reviewed international evaluations of group support programs for informal caregivers. Electronic databases (Medline and Cinahl) were searched for controlled trials, published in English, German or French from 2000- 2013 inclusive. The authors of this review located and scored 15 studies according to set criteria. There are five studies with more than 200 probands. These studies indicate improvement in the areas of satisfaction from the work, quality of life and level of stress. Nevertheless the admissions for nursing homes increased in one of them. Other studies show some significant findings that could improve the mood of depression, the quality of life, empowerment and the response to behavioral disorders of their family members. It is not always possible to ascertain the indirect effects on strain, distress or social support. As the researchers used different assessments, it is not possible to combine the results of the studies. We lack widely accepted sensitive assessment instruments and assessments, which target the contents of the courses. The studies show how caregiver training programs can be combined with other support offers.

A qualitative evaluation of an ethnic mental health and living skills support program

ABSTRACTIndividuals with mental illness from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds have poorer health outcomes than their non-CALD peers. Support groups have been found to be an effective component of the treatment for both affective and psychotic disorders. The aim of this study is to investigate participants’ perceptions of a Macedonian Mental Health and Living Skills Program, a support group program for Macedonian individuals with a serious mental illness. Two focus groups were conducted with 22 CALD participants, with 11 participants in each group. The discussion centered on their perceptions and experiences of the group. The results indicated the following key themes that emerged from the focus group data: improved social opportunities; a sense of comfort and belonging; improved mood; increased motivation; better access to health information; and reductions in hospital admissions. In summary, the CALD participants perceived the support program to be highly beneficial and advantageo...

A Community-Based Exercise and Support Group Program Improves Quality of Life in African-American Breast Cancer Survivors: A Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis.

African-American (AA) breast cancer (BCa) survivors have higher mortality rates, more comorbidities and are less likely to meet national physical activity guidelines after diagnosis compared to Caucasian BCa survivors. We previously reported that a 20-week resistance exercise intervention coupled with a support group and home walking program, conducted using facilities and personnel at a community cancer support center, in Stage I-III AA BCa survivors improved strength, fitness and circulating C-peptide levels. Here, we report our findings on changes in quality of life (QoL) and other behavioral measures associated with this 20-week intervention and, discuss findings from a qualitative analysis of semi-structured patient interviews. We found a clinically relevant improvement in QoL using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy for Breast Cancer (FACT-B) (Baseline, B: 101.1 ± 21.5; End-of-Intervention, EOI: 108.5 ± 21.6; p = 0.05) and, a significant decrease in depression using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (B: 11.9 ± 8.1; EOI: 9.0 ± 5.5; p = 0.03). Our analysis of the patient interviews support improvements in these behavioral measures in that participants stated that they "feel better", were "more motivated" and "uplifted" after the program. The patient interviews also provided insights to the primary motivators (e.g., social support, improvements in strength and function, weight loss) and barriers (e.g., family and health issues) in adhering to the program and provided suggestions for improving the program (e.g., incorporating nutritional and treatment related side-effect discussions). Our results suggest that community-based lifestyle interventions may improve QoL and depression in AA BCa survivors and lend insights for improving future programs.

PEMASARAN SOSIAL SEBAGAI UPAYA MENINGKATKAN PRAKTEK PEMBERIAN ASI EKSKLUSIF BAGI IBU HAMIL (STUDI DESKRIPTIF PADA PELAKSANAAN PROGRAM KELOMPOK PENDUKUNG IBU KELURAHAN RAWA BUAYA, JAKARTA BARAT)

This study aims to explain the social marketing of Mother Support Group Program in Rawa Buaya as the way to improve breast feeding practice for pregnant mothers and to describe the obstacle of the program. The qualitative data were collected by conducting in-depth interview and direct observation. Based on the result of this study, social marketing of Mother Support Group Program has done various social marketing steps and it is one of the way to achieve the change of pregnant mother’s behavior in order to implement breast feeding practice for the further life. This social marketing is implemented with education and participation for community development.

Online video support group pilot: Connecting young women diagnosed with breast cancer.

113 Background: Young Survival Coalition (YSC) is the premier global organization dedicated to the critical issues unique to young women and breast cancer. Young breast cancer survivors (YBCS) have a strong desire to connect in-person with other young survivors although location, timing of meetings and illness can deter in-person meetings. YSC sought to create a programmatic initiative where YBCS can connect online through video to “see” and support each other as well as reduce a sense of isolation. Methods: YSC initiated an 8 month online video support group pilot, with six groups meeting monthly. Two groups focused on specific populations: under age 30; and YBCS with metastatic breast cancer. A YSC staff person provided technology support at the start of each meeting. A paid facilitator or a peer volunteer led each meeting. A variety of technology platforms were tested, with “GoToMeeting” being the most reliable and the most commonly used. Results: Approximately 29 YBCS participated regularly across the six groups. Post-meeting and post-pilot evaluations were strongly positive. Eighty percent felt their concerns were addressed during the meetings and being able to “see” other YBCS helped to build community and add to the support received. The top reason for participating in the support group was to connect with other YBCS (70%). The topics of most interest were sex and intimacy and anxiety (tied) followed by discussion of side effects. A little over half of the respondents (54%) reported wanting a facilitator to lead the groups instead of a peer. Seventy-three percent said they would participate in online video support groups again if offered. A text message reminder of the upcoming support group meeting, received a day prior to the meeting, was preferred over email. Conclusions: YSC’s online video support group program is a viable and innovative method of connecting YBCS, by providing the opportunity to give and receive support in the comfort of their own home. This pilot provided YSC the information needed to move into a second stage of program implementation and evaluation.

A SUPPORT GROUP PROGRAMME WITH INFORMAL CAREGIVERS TO PREVENT ELDER ABUSE

The article aims to describe an evaluation on the effectiveness of a support group with informal caregivers of older people in an urban and rural community setting in Namibia. The support group programme equipped informal caregivers with knowledge on aging and caregiving. In addition, coping skills and support were offered to the informal caregivers. Standardised measuring instruments that assessed the outcome of the group at pre-test, post-test and postponed post-test were the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) and the Potentially Harmful Behaviour (PHB) scale. The Group Engagement Measure (GEM) assessed the group processes at the fourth, sixth and eighth group sessions. Results indicated that rural caregivers experienced more burden than urban caregivers. Generally, potential harmful behaviour has decreased significantly. Caregivers from the urban group were more engaged in the group process than the rural group. Support group interventions indeed contributed positively towards community care of older people. Implications for social work practice are discussed.

A controlled trial of the SibworkS group program for siblings of children with special needs

Siblings of children with a disability are an at risk group for emotional and behavioral problems. This study evaluated an intervention to promote the emotional and behavioral functioning of siblings of children with disabilities and chronic health conditions. SibworkS is a six-week manual-based, cognitive–behavioral group support program focussed on strengthening siblings’ perceived social support, self-esteem, problem-solving skills, adaptive coping behaviors and positive sibling relationships. Fifty-six children aged 7–12 were allocated to either the SibworkS program (n=30) or waitlist control (n=26) in alternating sequence. The primary outcome was siblings’ emotional and behavioral functioning. Additional outcomes were self-esteem, perceived social support, the sibling relationship and coping behaviors. Siblings were followed-up immediately after the intervention and at 3-months. Siblings participating in the SibworkS intervention were reported to have fewer emotional and behavioral difficulties than siblings in the control group immediately following the intervention and at the 3-month follow-up. Participation in SibworkS was associated with fewer emotional and behavioral difficulties for siblings. Implications for practice and future research include recommendations for improving program participation.

Decreasing self-reported cognitive biases and increasing clinical insight through meta-cognitive training in patients with chronic schizophrenia

Background and objectivesThe aim of this study was to assess the impact of meta-cognitive training (MCT) on cognitive biases, symptoms, clinical insight, and general functioning among low-level functioning persons diagnosed with chronic schizophrenia who were attending a daily Community Social Support Group Program; we compared the treatment-as-usual (TAU) condition with the MCT + TAU condition. MethodsForty-four patients diagnosed with chronic schizophrenia were allocated to either the MCT + treatment-as-usual condition or the treatment-as-usual (TAU) condition. Delusion and hallucination severity, cognitive biases, clinical insight, and global functioning were assessed pre- and post-treatment (clinical trial NCT02187692). ResultsNo significant changes were found in symptom severity as measured with the PSYRATS. Conversely, a medium to large effect size was observed for delusional ideation changes when assessed by the self-report measure (Paranoia Checklist). MCT was found to ameliorate cognitive biases as measured by the self-report scale at large effect size, however, no changes in jumping to conclusions (the Fish Task) and theory of mind deficits (“Reading the Mind in the Eyes” Test) were found in the behavioral tasks. MCT increased insight at large effect size. No changes in global functioning were found between the two conditions. LimitationsLow intensity intervention. No follow-up assessment was provided. Only PSYRATS was assessed blind to patient allocation. ConclusionsMCT has a beneficial effect on low-functioning chronic schizophrenic patients in ameliorating cognitive biases and increasing clinical insight.

Mothers’ experiences of the NICU and a NICU support group programme

Objective: to understand both the maternal experience of the NICU and mothers’ views of a NICU Parent Support Group. Background: mothers of babies who are born prematurely have their first experiences of parenting while their infant is in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This presents multiple challenges and a range of stresses related to their role as a mother and concerns about their baby’s survival and growth. Thus, various supportive interventions have been trialled with this NICU parent population. However, the focus of this support and how it should be delivered lacks research as an evidence base for practice. Mothers’ experiences of the NICU and a professionally facilitated NICU support group at a city hospital were explored in this qualitative research study. Method: nine mothers were interviewed in 2010 while their babies were NICU inpatients. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically. Results: the NICU admission resulted in participant mothers facing challenges in getting to know their baby, forming their parenting role while in the NICU, and a reliance upon, but resentment toward, nursing staff. Positive feelings about their baby’s strengths were also apparent. The parent support group was an important part of managing the experience of the NICU and was reported to meet the emotional support needs of these NICU parents. Conclusion: the implications and recommendations for NICU-based emotional support are discussed. In particular, modifications to support group structures to ensure professional staff involvement and a balance between education and emotional care are reviewed.

Art Therapy for Chinese Canadian Breast Cancer Survivors in Toronto

Aims: The major purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of an art therapy support group program for Chinese Canadian breast cancer survivors. The sub-purpose was to understand the experiences of Chinese breast cancer survivors during and after the arts-based intervention. Study Design: A qualitative design was used in this study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at an urban community health centre in Toronto, Canada between February 2014 and June 2014. Original Research Article

Increasing Success in Neurocognitively Impaired Patients Through Group Therapy

This eight-session support group program was presented at the American Group Psychotherapy Association’s (AGPA) 2013 Spring Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. The presentation focused on creating hope and increasing motivation in neurocognitively impaired individuals. The premise was that this standardized intervention process delivered weekly at the beginning of an individual’s outpatient neurorehabilitation program would enhance commitment and success. This program was formatted to address: setting goals for recovery, relating to others, restructuring negative thinking, addressing feelings, identifying barriers to recovery, resolving grief issues, creating hope, redefining the self, rebuilding self-esteem, and exploring coping strategies.

Brief online surveys to monitor and evaluate facilitated peer support groups for caregivers of children with special needs

BackgroundThere have been few systematic evaluations of experiences of participating in peer support groups for parents and other caregivers of children with special needs. In Australia, facilitated groups are available to caregivers in community settings, through a nationally funded program, MyTime. Mechanisms for ongoing monitoring and evaluation have not yet been instituted. AimTo establish whether brief, online surveys can be used for monitoring and evaluating peer support groups for caregivers of children with special needs. MethodsTwo brief, online surveys, with both fixed-choice and open-ended questions, were developed. All caregivers who attended any MyTime group during a 1-month period were invited to participate. ResultsOf 89 caregivers who expressed interest in participating, 54 and 31 respondents completed respectively. Respondents represented a variety of backgrounds and circumstances. Responses revealed both positive and negative aspects of group participation. Linked data on expectations and experiences provided important feedback for the program. ConclusionBrief, online surveys are a suitable mechanism for ongoing monitoring and evaluation of peer support group programs for caregivers.

Effects of a Telephone-based Support Group Program for Family Caregivers Providing Long-term Care for Elders

Purpose:Thepurposeof this studywastodevelopatelephone-basedsupport groupprogramfor familycaregivers providing long-term care for elders and to identify the program's effects on depression, caregiving burden and satisfaction. Methods:A non-equivalent control pre-post designwasused. Participants were recruitedfrom sup- port groups in 3 long-term care agencies and were assigned to the experimental group (n=16) or control group (n=19) receiving usual care. Fortheexperimental group, the telephone-basedsupport groupintervention, consist- ing of the self-help group activity in small group, given for 8 weeks. Outcomes included changes in depression, caregiving burden and satisfaction. Data were analyzed using Fisher's exact test andMann-WhitneyU-test with SPSS/WIN 21.0. Results: After 8 weeks intervention, the experimental group had significantly increased care- giving satisfaction (Z=-2.39, p=.017) compared to the control group. Within the experimental group, scores for depression were significantly decreased (Z=-2.26, p=.024) but not the caregiving burden (Z=-0.99, p=.320). Conclusion:The results indicate that a telephone-based support group program is effective in increasing care- givingsatisfaction, anddecreasing depression. Therefore, it can be utilizedinthe field of nursing for familycare- givers providing long-term care for elders.

Barriers and promoters of participation in facilitated peer support groups for carers of children with special needs

Social support is essential for physical and mental health and well-being. Evidence indicates that social and peer support is particularly important and beneficial for the well-being of those who care for children with chronic illness or disability in improving personal well-being and influencing parent-child play opportunities and child behaviour and development positively. MyTime is a government-funded Australia-wide facilitated peer support group program for carers of children with special needs. The aim was to investigate the barriers and promoters of participation in this peer support group program. A qualitative approach was adopted where semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 20 group members, four group facilitators and three play helpers. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Inductive thematic analysis of the transcripts was conducted. Most group members described gaining significant social support from group participation. Good group facilitation, the availability of play helpers, access to disability-related information and expertise, and the mutual exchange of support between members emerged as the most important promoters of group participation. Barriers included insufficient funding to run the program throughout the year, too much diversity in group members' socio-economic position and severity of their children's disability. The facilitated peer support group program described in this paper appears to confer significant benefits to carers of children with disabilities and may be a model for other nations to consider in their strategies to improve services for carers of children with special needs.

The pilot and evaluation of a postnatal support group for Iraqi women in the year following the birth of their baby

The current study involved conducting a pilot test of a culturally sensitive support group program developed to assist Iraqi women in the year following the birth of their baby (CSSG-B) in Perth, Western Australia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the social validity of the program. It was hypothesized that women involved in the program would find the program to be socially valid and culturally appropriate, and will also report lower levels of depressive symptomatology and higher levels of social support, following the group intervention. Participants were 12 Iraqi Arabic speaking women, who had a child less than 12 months of age. The program was based on Iraqi women's explanatory models (Kleinman, 1978; Di Ciano et al., 2010) of the birth and motherhood experience. Social validity ratings were obtained during the implementation of the program in order to assess the level of acceptability of the intervention. A one-group pre-test–post-test design was used to determine if depressive symptoms had decreased during the course of the intervention and social support had increased. Results indicated that Iraqi Arabic speaking women found the support group intervention acceptable and relevant and there was a significant decrease in scores on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) from pre-test to post-test. These results that the culturally sensitive group intervention was culturally acceptable and was associated with decreased levels of depressive symptomatology.