Mutual help groups: an important gateway to wellbeing and mental health

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated the impact of GROW, an Australia-wide community mental health organisation, on psychological wellbeing and mental health.Design: Triangulation of quantitative and qualitative research methods was employed. The study included a cross-sectional and a longitudinal survey of GROW members together with ethnographic and phenomenological work. Research outcomes:The results pointed to length of membership/extent of involvement in GROW activities as being associated with improved wellbeing in the areas of autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, and selfacceptance/purpose in life, together with a reduction in medication and hospitalisation. In a longitudinal study surveying the wellbeing of 28 new GROW members with 6-month follow-up, there were statistically significant improvements on all wellbeing factors. A major theme emerging from ethnographic and phenomenological research was that GROW offers a "real life" mini-community where people learn social and life management skills. However, beyond skills acquisition, GROW offers the potential for identity transformation by assisting the realisation of core human needs -a

Capturing Dynamic Processes of Change in GROW Mutual Help Groups for Mental Health

“…Most people who join GROW in Australia have been diagnosed with a mental illness. Anxiety and depression are the most prevalent, but diagnoses of panic disorder, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder were also reported by a substantial percentage of GROW's membership (Finn et al 2007). …”

Researching community‐based support networks: what policymakers should know

“…These community-based support systems have been associated with a number of benefits at the individual level (Finn et al, 2007;Galanter, 1988;Rappaport & Seidman, 1986), the social level (Carpinello et al, 1991), and the community level (Chamberlin, 1978(Chamberlin, , 1996Deegan, 1992;Emerick, 1991).…”

“…In addition to being financially accessible, participants can experience behavioral and cognitive improvements, as well as spiritual transformation (Humphreys, 1997;Kyrouz, Humphreys, & Loomis, 2002;McCown & Chamberlain, 2000;Obuchowski & Zweben, 1987;Reddin & Sonn, 2003;Roberts, Salem, & Rappaport, 1999;Turnbull, 1997). Research also demonstrates relationships between group involvement and reduced psychiatric symptoms (Finn et al, 2007;Galanter, 1988;Rappaport & Seidman, 1986), reduced hospitalization rates, reduced reliance on medication and human services (Finn & Bishop, 2001;Young, 1991), and a reduction in the financial cost attributed to these services (Humphreys, 1998). For instance, using a quasi-experimental research design, Magura et al (2008) compared two cohorts of people who utilized a psychiatric continuing day treatment program.…”

“…Similar figures come from GROW-a group for those with mental illness. In 2005, approximately 6,000 Australians were thought to be involved with a GROW group (Finn, Bishop, & Sparrow, 2007). However, collated information from a range of SHSGs is lacking.…”

Information-seeking to support wellbeing: A pilot study of New Zealand men

“…A. R. Berger & Janoff-Bulman, 2006;M. Berger, Wagner, & Baker, 2005;Finn & Bishop, 2006;Gottlieb, 1981;Stokes & Wilson, 1984) that show that help is mobilized in a variety of ways depending on the contextual circumstances of the help that is required. Not all available help is mobilized in the same way, or indeed, mobilized at all.…”