Psychiatrists' referrals to self-help groups for people with mood disorders.
The study examined psychiatrists' referrals to and support for participation in self-help groups by people with mood disorders. Massachusetts and Michigan psychiatrists with a special interest in patients with mood disorders were surveyed; the 278 respondents represented a 78 percent response rate. About three-fourths of the psychiatrists reported that they made referrals to and felt knowledgeable about self-help groups. However, less than half had self-help literature available or discussed self-help groups with their patients. Beliefs that a patient would gain a better understanding of the illness and would receive support after an episode of illness were positively related to support for self-help. Beliefs that the program was inappropriate and that it lacked professional oversight were negatively related.
Powell
T J
TJ
School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1106, USA. tpowell@umich.edu
Silk
K R
KR
Albeck
J H
JH
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts; D008824:Michigan; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires