Factors contributing to the survival of self-help groups.
Despite the growing utilization of self-help groups, there have been only a handful of studies that have examined the factors that contribute to their survival. The purpose of this study was to explore the factors that contribute to self-help group survival by examining their relationship with external sources (i.e., national and local self-help organizations, professionals) and group organizational characteristics (i.e., leadership diversification, recruitment, attendance at group meetings). Representatives from 245 active and 94 recently disbanded self-help groups were included in the analysis. Results indicated that the primary factors that discriminated between active and disbanded groups were the number of new people to attend a meeting, average group meeting attendance, length of existence, leadership diversification, outreach to potential group members, and support from national and local organizations. Results are discussed in terms of what national self-help organizations, self-help clearinghouses, and others who interact with self-help groups can do to empower and support them.
Wituk
Scott A
SA
Self-Help Network of Kansas, Wichita State University, 67260-0034, USA.
Shepherd
Matthew D
MD
Warren
Mary
M
Meissen
Greg
G
D016002:Discriminant Analysis; D006290:Health Planning Technical Assistance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006295:Health Resources; D006801:Humans; D007615:Kansas; D007857:Leadership; D008389:Marketing of Health Services; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014837:Voluntary Health Agencies