The effectiveness of support groups: a literature review

Worrall, Hugh; Schweizer, Richard; Marks, Ellen; Yuan, Lin; Lloyd, Christine Avonia; Ramjan, Rob

doi:10.1108/mhsi-12-2017-0055

Cited by 59 publications

(51 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…However, despite not demonstrating continued effects on symptom-specific outcome measures, aftercare support group attendance may have had transdiagnostic beneficial effects. Worrall et al (2018) found that support groups are effective at reducing symptoms, substance misuse, hospitalizations and use of services, as well as improving social competence and increasing healthy behaviours, self-esteem and perceptions of overall wellbeing. In addition, participants across studies reported many of the same perceived benefits from attending support groups: fostering hope; learning coping strategies; building social and support networks; learning from successful role models; feeling more in control of their situation; and overcoming stigma (Worrall et al, 2018).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effectiveness of cognitive behavioural group therapy for social anxiety disorder: long-term benefits and aftercare

Fogarty

Hevey

McCarthy³

2019

Behav. Cogn. Psychother.

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Background:Empirical research demonstrates the short- to medium-term efficacy and effectiveness of cognitive behavioural group therapy (CBGT) for social anxiety disorder (SAD). Little is known about the durability of gains beyond 1 year following treatment in real-life clinical settings. Literature regarding the impact of aftercare programs as an adjunct to CBGT treatment on SAD is scarce.Aims:To evaluate the long-term effectiveness of CBGT for SAD in a community sample and to explore the relationship between long-term treatment outcomes and aftercare support group attendance.Method:A longitudinal cohort design evaluated changes in standardized psychological measures assessing aspects of SAD, anxiety and depression. Questionnaires were completed before the program (time 1, N = 457), after the program (time 2, n = 369) and at an average of 4.6 years follow-up (time 3, n = 138).Results:Large treatment effect sizes at post-intervention were maintained at long-term follow-up on measures of SAD, anxiety and depression. There was no statistically significant relationship between frequency of attendance at an aftercare support group and degree of improvement from post-treatment severity on any measure.Conclusions:CBGT is an effective intervention in the long-term in a routine clinical setting and should be considered a viable treatment option for SAD. Recommendations for future research, treatment implications and study limitations are considered.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effectiveness of cognitive behavioural group therapy for social anxiety disorder: long-term benefits and aftercare

Fogarty

Hevey

McCarthy³

2019

Behav. Cogn. Psychother.

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“…As relatives are often the main source of care for the rehabilitating patient, it is essential that they are adequately supported in their role and stressors that may precipitate or exacerbate their own psychological morbidity, must be addressed. It would be worthwhile considering if established support strategies for caregivers of patients with conditions such as strokes, traumatic brain injury, dementia, such as carer support groups (Worrall et al ., ), and psychoeducational interventions to improve caregiving skills and competence (Tang et al ., ) would be effective in this population.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Outcomes and experiences of relatives of patients discharged home after critical illness: a systematic integrative review

Stayt

Venes

2018

Nursing in Critical Care

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Background Patients discharged from intensive care may experience psychological and physical deficits resulting in a long and complex rehabilitation upon discharge. Relatives are also vulnerable to psychological pathologies and diminished health‐related quality of life following the patients' critical illness. Relatives often provide care during the patients' rehabilitation, which may influence their health. Aim To report the outcomes and experiences of relatives of patients discharged home after critical illness. Design Systematic integrative review. Methods Electronic databases Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PubMed, Embase®, and PsychINFO® were searched using keywords, synonyms, and medical subject headings. Reference lists of articles and critical care journals were manually searched. Studies eligible for inclusion reported primary research and were published in English between 2007 and 2017. Studies were appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklists. Data were extracted and then analysed according to framework. Findings Twenty‐five studies were included: 19 quantitative, 4 qualitative, and 1 mixed method study. Three themes were identified: health and well‐being, employment and lifestyle, and caregiving role. Health and well‐being reports the incidence and significance of psychological morbidity such as post‐traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression. Employment and lifestyle describes the impact of caregiving on the relative's ability to work and engage in usual social activities. The final theme describes and discusses the caregiving role in terms of activities of daily living, knowledge and skills, and adaption to the role. Conclusions There is a significant and meaningful impact on outcomes and experiences of relatives of patients discharged home after critical illness. Relatives' caregiving is embedded within the context of their psychological morbidity and social adjustment. Relevance to practice If informal care giving is to be sustainable, there is a need to design effective strategies of supporting families through all stages of the critical illness trajectory.

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“…However, online support is not necessarily a substitute for face-to-face support groups and in the present study 17% of participants attended a support group but 50% would like to had there been one nearby. This suggests support groups are valued by many people and they have been found to be an important adjunct to psychological support (Worrall et al, 2018).…”

Section: Support From Professionalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experiences of involuntary childlessness and treatment in the UK: what has changed in 20 years?

Payne

Seenan²,

Akker

2019

Human Fertility

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The effectiveness of support groups: a literature review

Abstract: Purpose Purpose: Support groups are a common feature of the mental health support engaged by carers and consumers. The purpose of this paper is to update and consolidate the knowledge and the evidence for the effectiveness of mental health support groups.

Cited by 59 publications

References 32 publications

Effectiveness of cognitive behavioural group therapy for social anxiety disorder: long-term benefits and aftercare

Effectiveness of cognitive behavioural group therapy for social anxiety disorder: long-term benefits and aftercare

Outcomes and experiences of relatives of patients discharged home after critical illness: a systematic integrative review

Experiences of involuntary childlessness and treatment in the UK: what has changed in 20 years?

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