How settings change people: Applying behavior setting theory to consumer‐run organizations

Abstract

Self-help initiatives stand as a classic context for organizational studies inCommunity psychologists have long been interested in understanding self-help initiatives such as consumer-run organizations (CROs). As cost-effective resources that are currently expanding their influence in the community, CROs stand to have a major impact on the treatment of mental illness. These organizations embody much of what community

Empowerment and peer support: structure and process of self‐help in a consumer‐run center for individuals with mental illness

“…These processes are consistent with expectations of the ''helper/therapy principle'' (Brown et al, 2007) and related theorizing by Nelson et al (2006) about the ''power reversal'' process and by Mead et al (2001) about the importance of managing conflict and developing shared responsibility. Our research involved an intensive investigation of these processes.…”

“…Brown et al (2007) found benefits of participation in consumer-run organizations based on retrospective self-report. Based on crosssectional research, Davidson et al (1999) reported greater social integration among mutual support participants: more voluntary relations, more valued social roles, and more life-enriching activities.…”

“…Yet despite growing recognition of the potential for persons with serious mental illness to take action on behalf of themselves and others , the means for developing this potential are not well understood. Peer support groups have become widely accepted as a key component of the empowerment process, but a relatively small fraction of persons with serious mental illness participates in them and little research has been completed about their effectiveness (Brown, Shepherd, Wituk, & Meissen, 2007;Davidson et al, 1999).…”

Participatory Spaces of Mental Health Service User Organizations in the Post-deinstitutional Era: Mapping Roles and Challenges

“…Just like the 'social movement service organizations' conceptualized by Meyer (2010), many organizations are hybrid in activity. In these organizations, service provision and advocacy are intimately linked core activities where advocacy is seen as related to personal gain and service provisioning as empowering and political (Brown et al 2007b;Stylianos and Kehyayan 2012;Tanenbaum 2011). Gee et al (2015) as well as Janzen et al (2006) describe how MHSUO representatives are frequently invited to participate in policy development and community planning which currently constitute the core activities of many organizations.…”

Toutes les organisations ne sont pas égales quant au pouvoir décisionnel de leurs pairs aidants !

“…En effet, des pairs aidants sont payés pour aider des usagers qui ne sont pas eux-mêmes considérés comme pairs aidants. Néanmoins, plusieurs études ont lié l'acquisition d'un sentiment de contrôle et de responsabilisation à la fréquentation de centres autogérés par des pairs aidants (par exempleBrown, Shepherd, Wituk & Meissen, 2007 ;Chamberlin, Rogers & Ellison, 1996). Mowbray et Tan (1993) ont conclu que la fréquentation de centres de jour (drop-in centers) autogérés par des pairs aidants a induit, chez plus de la moitié de ceux qui les ont fréquentés (53 %), une plus grande confiance dans leurs décisions concernant leur emploi, leur éducation, leurs relations interpersonnelles et leur traitement.…”