Effectiveness of self-help and support groups for cancer patients: A Review

Hitch, P. J.; Fielding, Richard; Llewelyn, Susan

doi:10.1080/08870449408407470

Cited by 39 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…Unfortunately, that distinction may be lost on newcomers, particularly ones told for years by an alcoholic that they are the reason the alcoholic drinks. A review of self-help groups for cancer patients found their helpfulness may be compromised if members perceive their peers are doing better than they are (Hitch, Fielding, & Llewelyn, 1994). Al-Anon newcomers and those continuing to struggle with acceptance of an alcoholic's self-destruction may blame themselves for their failure to make adequate progress.…”

Section: Perpetuating Victimizationmentioning

confidence: 95%

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Benefits and Costs of Alcoholic Relationships and Recovery Through Al-Anon

Young

Timko

2014

Substance Use & Misuse

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Alcoholic relationships may benefit concerned others by preserving self-identity, social identity, values, security, stability, and hope. Costs of alcoholic relationships include physical symptoms, injury, mental problems, financial difficulty, legal troubles, and relational distress. Al-Anon is perceived beneficial for six primary reasons: Al-Anon philosophy, format, social support, accessibility, effectiveness, and potential to change the drinker's behavior. Possible costs of Al-Anon include marginalization of the concerned other, blame, codependent pathology, sexist stereotyping, substitute dependency, and perpetuating victimization. Conclusions/Importance: The identified costs and benefits of alcoholic relationships and help-seeking in Al-Anon can help to model decision-making processes using existing behavioral health frameworks without defaulting to the stigmatized and ambiguous codependence terminology.

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Section: Perpetuating Victimizationmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…As a result, those in most need of help may fail to identify with their peers. They may exit the group or remain and claim that everything is fine (Hitch et al, 1994).…”

Section: Perpetuating Victimizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Benefits and Costs of Alcoholic Relationships and Recovery Through Al-Anon

Young

Timko

2014

Substance Use & Misuse

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“…A number of researchers have observed gender differences in cancer support groups. Based primarily on research with breast and prostate cancer support groups, they have found that men in cancer support groups tend to value information and education over personal experience and emotion sharing, whereas women place more emphasis on precisely these dimensions (Bottomley, 1997;Coreil & Behal, 1999;Gray et al, 1996Gray et al, , 1997Hitch, Fielding, & Llewelyn, 1994;Steginga et al, 2001;Thaxton et al, 2005).…”

Section: Content Of Group Meetingsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Is There an “Ideal Cancer” Support Group? Key Findings from a Qualitative Study of Three Groups

Bell

Lee

Foran

et al. 2010

Journal of Psychosocial Oncology

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The objective of this study was to study differently composed cancer support groups to generate insights into what groups are attractive to the widest range of participants, and how they might be best structured and composed. This study applied a qualitative design utilizing participant observation at three cancer support groups (a group for women with metastatic cancer, a colorectal cancer support group, and a group for Chinese cancer patients) and in-depth interviews (N = 23) with group members as the primary data collection methods. Despite the diverse composition of the groups, their perceived benefits were similar, and informants highlighted the information, acceptance, and understanding they received in the support group environment. However, gender and cultural differences were found in attendance patterns and the desired content of group meetings. Importantly, participants' motivations for attending cancer support groups also changed as they moved through the treatment trajectory: over time the need for information was at least partially replaced by a need for support and understanding. This study supports prior research findings that there is no ideal support group, nor is there a "magical formula" for attracting and retaining a diverse audience. However, including an educational component in support groups may increase the participation of currently underrepresented populations such as men and patients from culturally diverse backgrounds.

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“…van den Borne et al, 1986;Hitch et al, 1994). Self-help groups are 'formed by peers who have come together for mutual assistance in satisfying a common need' (Katz, 1976, p.265).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%