Poster Session

Self Help Groups Effectiveness in Mental Health

Petrini, F., * Meringolo, P., * Vannucchi, S., ** Pini, P.

* Department of Psychology University of Florence ** Mental Health Europe Executive Committee

Self-help groups cannot be considered as a replacement for health treatments but rather as a cultural phenomenon, able to reduce bio-psycho-social harms and to modify the attitude of delegating the care of one’s own health problems. In an empowering perspective, self-help is a way for going beyond dependence from therapy, promoting social skills and participation in local community. Despite this, there are relatively few studies on the effectiveness of these experiences, especially as regards mental diseases (Brown, Shepherd, Wituk & Meissen, 2007). Campbell (2005) leaded a review of studies about self-help programs in psychological disorders. Results undeline that self-help programs can promote empowerment and functional recovery (Dumont & Jones, 2002; Van Tosh & Del Vecchio, 2000) and have effects on perceived social support (Forquer & Knight, 2001; Yanos, Primavera & Knight, 2001). Solomon(2004) highlighted that self-help experiences encourage less use of emergency services and hospitalization.

autores

Petrini, F., Meringolo, P., Vannucchi, S., & Pini, P.

Petrini, F., * Meringolo, P., * Vannucchi, S., ** Pini, P.

sandra.vannucchi@alice.it meringolo@psico.unifi.itt

* Department of Psychology University of Florence

** Mental Health Europe Executive Committee

comentarios (1)

agregar comentario

Sobre este Artículo