More Americans try to change their health behaviors through self-help than through all other forms of professionally designed programs. Mutual support groups, involving little or no cost to participants, have a powerful effect on mental and physical health, yet little is known about patterns of support group participation in health care. What kinds of illness experiences prompt patients to seek each other's company? In an effort to observe social comparison processes with real-world relevance, support group participation was measured for 20 disease categories in 4 metropolitan areas (New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Dallas) and on 2 on-line forums. Support seeking was highest for diseases viewed as stigmatizing (e.g., AIDS, alcoholism, breast and prostate cancer) and was lowest for less embarrassing but equally devastating disorders, such as heart disease. The authors discuss implications for social comparison theory and its applications in health care.

Who talks? The social psychology of illness support groups.

The study examined the relationship among social connectedness, dysfunctional interpersonal behaviors, and psychological distress. The authors specifically hypothesized that the direct negative effect of social connectedness on psychological distress would be mediated by dysfunctional interpersonal behaviors. Prior to testing the hypothesis, the authors revised the original Social Connectedness Scale (SCS; R. M. Lee & S. B. Robbins, 1995). Studies 1 and 2 describe the revision and validation of the SCS on separate samples of college students. In Study 3, the authors surveyed 184 college students and found support for the mediation hypothesis on general psychological distress. The importance of assessing social connectedness and tailoring counseling interventions for people with low connectedness and dysfunctional interpersonal behaviors is addressed.

https://depts.washington.edu/uwcssc/sites/default/files/Social%20Connectedness%20Scale-Revised%20(SCS-R).pdf

Social connectedness, dysfunctional interpersonal behaviors, and psychological distress: Testing a mediator model.

What do cancer support groups provide which other supportive relationships do not? The experience of peer support groups for people with cancer

SUMMARY As the number of women under correctional supervision continues to increase, there is an emerging awareness that women offenders present different issues than their male counterparts. This paper addresses the importance of gender in terms of program design and delivery and describes the context for the development of effective gender-responsive programming for women. Using the pathways theory of women's criminality, the elements that should be considered in women's treatment and services are addressed, such as: program environment/culture, staff competencies, theoretical foundation, treatment modalities, reentry issues, and collaboration. The content of gender-responsive programming that integrates substance abuse and trauma services is also discussed.

Gender Responsive Treatment and Services in Correctional Settings

Background: The clinical literature cautions against use of meditation by people with psychosis. There is, however, evidence for acceptance-based therapy reducing relapse, and some evidence for clinical benefits of mindfulness groups for people with distressing psychosis, though no data on whether participants became more mindful. Aims: To assess feasibility of randomized evaluation of group mindfulness therapy for psychosis, to replicate clinical gains observed in one small uncontrolled study, and to assess for changes in mindfulness. Method: Twenty-two participants with current distressing psychotic experiences were allocated at random between group-based mindfulness training and a waiting list for this therapy. Mindfulness training comprised twice-weekly sessions for 5 weeks, plus home practice (meditation CDs were supplied), followed by 5 weeks of home practice. Results: There were no significant differences between intervention and waiting-list participants. Secondary analyses combining both groups and comparing scores before and after mindfulness training revealed significant improvement in clinical functioning (p = .013) and mindfulness of distressing thoughts and images (p = .037). Conclusions: Findings on feasibility are encouraging and secondary analyses replicated earlier clinical benefits and showed improved mindfulness of thoughts and images, but not voices.

https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S1352465809990166

Mindfulness groups for distressing voices and paranoia: a replication and randomized feasibility trial.

Originally published in Contemporary Psychology: APA Review of Books, 1996, Vol 41(1), 81. Yalom's text has long been the standard work on group therapy, garnering critical acclaim and clinical use throughout the field. This fourth edition (see record 1995-97355-000) is fully revised and updated to

Irvin Yalom

Papers

The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy