title: [Utilization and significance of self-help groups in treatment careers of psychosomatic inpatients].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Patients' self-help group participation has been neglected in psychotherapy research. This study determines previous self-help group experience, therapist recommendations and plans for future participation.
  
  
  METHODS
  1,604 patients were surveyed by questionnaire at intake and discharge from psychosomatic treatment regarding previous self-help experiences, therapist recommendation and plans for future self-help participation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with self-help experience (12 %) were slightly older and more educated. They reported a longer duration of disease, more previous psychotherapy, more interpersonal problems and less social support compared to non-participants. At discharge, a total of 23 % intended to participate in a self-help group. Therapist recommendations (in 19 %) influenced patients' choices.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The significance of self-help group participation in inpatient care, its significance in treatment careers and implications for consulting patients are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Johannes-Gutenberg-University Mainz, Untere Zahlbacher Strasse 8, D-55131 Mainz, Germany. hoeflich@uni-mainz.de
authors.forename: Anke
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Höflich
authors.forename: Fridhelm
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Matzat
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hartmann
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lotzemer-Jentges
authors.forename: Franz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bleichner
authors.forename: Rudolf J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Knickenberg
authors.forename: Manfred E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Beutel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011575:Psychoanalytic Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014600:Utilization Review / Q000706:statistics & numerical data