Types Of Support Groups Research Articles

The Impact of Demographic Characteristics on Awareness and Usage of Support Groups

There are support groups established for one's emotional and/or physical health; as a result, marketing has appeared in regards to the needs, benefits, and hesitations regarding these groups. This study addresses several types of individuals and situations that lend themselves to using support groups. The authors conducted a study designed to examine demographic characteristics as they relate to a person's decision to go to support groups for health conditions. Looking at the demographics of users and the types of support groups, the authors discuss diverse opportunities for support groups and their organizations to promote communication, improve marketing strategies, and create influential users.

Abstract P6-08-13: Impact of Nueva Vida’s model on quality of life, distress levels and self-efficacy in Latinas with breast cancer

Abstract Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis among Latinas and Hispanic women diagnosed with breast cancer have a higher mortality rate than their white non-Hispanic counterparts (American Cancer Society, 2009). Moreover, Latina survivors appear to have greater distress related to their diagnosis and treatment than non-Latina White women, in large part due to their lower access to care, financial and linguistic barriers, and cultural issues. These concerns have a significant influence on women quality of life (Rowland & Massie, 1998) yet research indicates their impact may be buffered by the presence of mental health and social support services. Research conducted with predominantly non-Latina survivors suggests that social support positively influences women's adjustment to breast cancer by reducing the intensity of their psychological distress, enhancing their optimism and quality of life and encouraging treatment adherence. (e.g. Helgeson & Cohen). There is, however, an acknowledged gap in the availability of adequate support interventions for minority groups (Buki, LP, et al, 2008). Purpose: Breast Cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis among Latina women in the US and Latinas have a higher mortality rate than their white non-Hispanic counterparts (American Cancer Society, 2009). Based on this data and the lived experiences of Latina's with breast cancer, Nueva Vida (NV) was founded in 1996 in efforts to address the lack of culturally sensitive cancer support services for Latinas in the Washington, DC area. NV's comprehensive cancer care service model includes patient navigation, various types of support groups, individual counseling, peer support, and education. This community based organization-academic partnership project evaluated the impact of NVs service model on participants’ levels of self-efficacy, psychological distress, and quality of life. Methods: A time-series design with data collection on the day of initial contact with NV, within 3-10 days of initial contact, as well as 4 and 12 months after the initial contact with NV. Sample includes approximately 90 Latinas diagnosed with breast cancer. Instruments used in this study include: Cancer Behavior Inventory (CBI) version 2 measuring self-efficacy (Merluzzi et al., 2001); the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18) measuring psychological distress (Zabora et al., 2001); and the Satisfaction with Life Domains Scale- Breast Cancer (SLDS-BC) measuring quality of life (Spagnola et al., 2003). Results: Data collection took place between March 2008 and December 2010. Participants seen at NV improved in three of the four categories measured by the BSI-18. The median quality of life scores improved over time. However, the self-efficacy median remained consistent over the year. Conclusions: The negative impact of a cancer diagnosis can be offset by the presence of social support, particularly for Latinas. Similarly, Latinas quality of life can improve with social support. However more studies are needed to understand what types of support services contribute to improvements in quality of life. Further study of self-efficacy based on type and number of interventions is needed. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P6-08-13.

Healing Through Loss: The Stepping Stones

This article represents one approach to the bereavement process—a time-limited, grief-specific bereavement group. The highlights of this process include introduction to the individuals or families, the telephone contact, and individual and bereavement support group work. Bereavement group types are usually explored through a time sequence of an 8-week approach. Adult children, spouses, partners, and parents are included in these types of support groups. Although this article focuses on the time-limited, grief-specific bereavement group experience, quarterly reunions and reflection groups are additional opportunities for the bereaved to share their grief with others.

Support group participation among persons with HIV: Demographic characteristics and perceived barriers

Support groups are widely available for persons living with HIV and some evidence supports their efficacy. However, limited information exists regarding characteristics of those who utilize HIV support groups. The present study examined demographic characteristics and perceived barriers of attenders and non-attenders of HIV support groups via a mail survey. The 35 respondents were predominantly white (71.4%), male (65.7%), homosexual/bisexual (57.1%) and diagnosed with HIV within the last five years (62.8%). Results suggested that HIV support group attenders had higher educational attainment and a longer time since diagnosis than non-attenders. Respondents who expressed interest in HIV support group participation were diagnosed more recently than those who did not express interest. Respondents who had attended other types of support groups reported fewer perceived barriers to participation in HIV support groups. Overall, findings suggest that the perception of barriers may be related to interest and participation in support groups for HIV and other problems.

Providing Social Support to Cancer Patients

One way in which the psychosocial needs of cancer patients can be addressed is through support groups, which are often recommended to patients by healthcare professionals. The present study aimed to assess the effectiveness of Gilda's Club in meeting the needs of cancer patients during their first year of membership and whether their experience with this organization was a positive one. Thirty Gilda's Club members with cancer completed a semi-structured quantitative and qualitative questionnaire. Findings revealed over half of the sample participated in some type of support group and the majority of participants reported that the support groups were helpful, with only 10% of participants reporting that they did not receive help from the support group. Qualitative data revealed that the most common sources of support outside of Gilda's Club were family, friends, and church. Since their initial contact with Gilda's Club one year ago, 60% reported no change in their level of depression, 20% reported more depression, and 20% reported less depression. Most participants (57%) had received no counseling for depression, and only 20% were still receiving counseling for depression. Qualitative data also revealed the majority of participants had overall positive impressions of Gilda's club.

Support Groups for People Who Have Experienced Psychosis

Support groups are not usually provided for people who have experienced psychosis. Ten clients who had been admitted to hospital following a psychotic episode were invited to take part in a support group session each week for 10 weeks. This study aimed to examine the participants' experience of this type of intervention by using observation and interview. Qualitative research techniques were used and the information was gathered by in-depth interviews with clients and by the writing of fieldwork notes about the group and the post-group peer supervision. The transcribed interviews and fieldwork notes were subjected to content analysis where emerging themes were identified and the findings were confirmed by respondent validation. The findings suggested that this type of therapy enabled the members of the group to offer support to each other and to help with reality testing. They were able to mitigate, to some extent, the damaging effect of being diagnosed ‘psychotic’ by validating the experience in a personal sense. The group members shared coping strategies and, in some cases, were able to shift away from using non-coping strategies. They were therefore able to take a more active part in their own treatment. The occupational therapists found the experience to be positive in terms of their own professional development: it improved their listening skills and encouraged their use of reflection to evaluate their own contribution. They also felt that the availability to them of immediate post-group peer supervision was beneficial. This support seemed to be reflected back into the group experience for the clients. This type of support group was found to be appropriate where clients had been admitted to hospital and were preparing for discharge.

Support groups for injured workers: process and outcomes.

We evaluated the efficacy of a support group for injured workers as a low-cost intervention that might modify chronicity and improve outcome among workers' compensation claimants with chronic musculoskeletal disorders. This study examined the impact of support groups on injured workers with musculoskeletal injuries in relation to four health indicators: pain, somatization, depression, and pain-locus-of-control. We held nine support groups between October 1992 and March 1994. A total of 62 subjects completed the groups. The evaluation of the support group program employed a type of quasi-experimental design, a nonequivalent control group design. A comparison group was created for purposes of evaluation from Workers' Compensation Board of Alberta claimants who did not participate in the groups. We found that participation in the support groups did not seem to affect the well-being of injured workers by reducing their levels of pain, somatization, and depression, and/or by altering their pain-locus-of-control. The results do not necessarily rule out any beneficial effects of participating in support groups. However, these methods applied to this type of support group showed no demonstrable effect.

Supportive Group Interventions with Caregivers of Frail Older Adults

The use of supportive group interventions with caregivers of frail older adults is discussed in this article. Four categories of group interventions are described: (1) mutual support groups, (2) psychoeducational groups, (3) social, recreational and educational groups, and (4) service and advocacy groups. Research evidence on the efficacy of group interventions with this population is also considered. Recommendations are made on when to refer caregivers to support groups and on what type of support group is most appropriate. Consideration by practitioners and program planners of a broader range of types of supportive groups is also encouraged.

Role of support groups in cancer care.

Support groups have been introduced in medicine since a number of years and several studies indicate that these groups can be beneficial for cancer patients. This article reviews the concept and types of support groups in cancer care. The demands on facilitators and patients in these groups are discussed and potential problems are emphasized. Ground rules for the establishment of a successful support group for cancer patients are described.

Understanding Minority Education in Pharmacy

Minority education is an economic, societal and altruistic issue. One out of every three wage earners, by the year 2000. will be minorities. If a large percentage of these individuals are not economically empowered, societal productivity and social security, among other things. will suffer greatly. Pharmacy offers an excellent opportunity for economic advancement. The key to success in muticulhlral pharmaceutical education is commitment-long-term, unwavering commitment. Historically Black Colleges and Universilies have shown this strategy to be most effective. Majority institutions need lo emulate some of their tactics in order to succeed. Different types of support groups are needed by students in order to increase their chances for success. Academic, professional and social networks are each very important ingredients. Also, cultural sensitivity toward all students is paramount. It makes the individual feel and act important. Ethnic diversity is healthy and good. Striving to achieve it is not easy, but ...