The concept of the self-help clearinghouse: the Israeli experience

Abstract

This exploratory study attempts to describe and analyse self-help organization in Israel where the phenomenon is still in its initial stages of development. In particular, this article concerns itself with the Israeli Self-Help Clearinghouse -the only one in the countryand explores its modes of operation. The investigation of such a unique situation can not only deepen our understanding of the specific Israeli experience, but can also shed light on universal aspects involved in self-help organization.The term 'clearinghouse' is defined in Webster's Dictionary as a place or institution where mutual claims and accounts are settled. Clearly, this definition does not apply to the nature, activities and characteristics of a self-help clearinghouse. Scholars are aware of the definitional difficulties related to the self-help phenomenon in general (Lavoie et al., 1995), and to self-help clearinghouses in particular (Meissen and Warren, 1993).Limited research attention has been directed to self-help clearinghouses, and an overview of the literature reveals a significant lack of effort to define the concept. The concept of the self-help clearinghouse is relatively new in the realm of human service delivery systems. In the US, the President's Commission on Mental Health first called for the development of self-help clearinghouses in 1978. The task force specified their expected functions: to provide information, training, and conferences that would enable professionals and members of self-help groups to learn from each other. Currently, a common notion views self-help clearinghouses within a broader framework. They are conceived as organized efforts aimed at maximizing the potential of self-help resources and

Helping Characteristics of Self-Help and Support Groups

“…Because most of the self-help group participants in the sample were women and most of the support group participants were men, the differences might be gender-based (i.e., women may inherently have more positive attitudes than men toward groups of this nature). This explanation is supported by earlier data that indicate that most participants in self-help and support groups in Israel and the Western world are women (Kurtz, 1997;Tirosh Ben-Ari, 1995;Videka-Sherman, 1982). It is possible that women find these groups more useful and therefore show a greater tendency to participate in them.…”

“…Since the 1970s, we have witnessed a marked proliferation in various kinds of self-help groups in western countries, as well as in Israel (Bargal, 1992;Gidron, Chesler, & Chesney, 1991;Katz, 1981;Katz et al, 1992;Tirosh Ben-Ari, 1995). Although this trend has generated considerable research interest in recent years (Katz, 1981;Kurtz, 1997;Powell, 1994), there is still a lack of outcome studies using controlled designs (Katz, 1981;Kurtz, 1990;Lieberman & Borman, 1979).…”

Meanings of the Concept “Self-Help” Among Jewish and Arab Students Living in Israel

“…Is it a matter of tradition which does not promote participation in such groups, or is it a matter of a time lag? Several scholars have dealt with self-help organizations in Israel (Bargal & Gidron, 1983;Ben-Ari, 1998;Ben-Ari & Azaiza, 1996b;Gidron & Bargal, 1986). However, the analysis of the particular ethnic culture and norms of behavior and their relationship to the philosophy of self-help groups has received little research attention.…”