title: An ecological model of group well-being: implications for health promotion with older women.
abstract: One promising context for health promotion with older individuals is the continuing small group, meeting on a regular basis for participation in health and wellness activities. As the facilitator of such a group, I have been conducting research using ethnographic and constant comparative methods on the dimensions of group well-being. Three core themes are described: (a) group as ritual, (b) group as celebration, and (c) group as community. Findings extend my previous report (Ruffing-Rahal, 1989) of constructs of well-being among older persons by delineating the small-group properties of well-being.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Ruffing-Rahal
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D004463:Ecology; D005260:Female; D006126:Group Processes; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008875:Middle Aged; D016294:Models, Nursing; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016387:Women's Health