
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Finn, Lisabeth D 
A1  - Bishop, Brian 
A1  - Sparrow, Neville H 
T1  - Mutual help groups: an important gateway to wellbeing and mental health
JF  - Australian Health Review
JO  - Aust. Health Review
Y1  - 2007
VL  - 31
IS  - 2
SP  - 246
EP  - 255
KW  - 
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1071/AH070246 
N2  - Objective: This study investigated the impact of GROW, an Australia-wide community mental health organisation, on psychological wellbeing and mental health. Design: Triangulation of quantitative and qualitative research methods was employed. The study included a cross-sectional and a longitudinal survey of GROW members together with ethnographic and phenomenological work. Research outcomes: The results pointed to length of membership/extent of involvement in GROW activities as being associated with improved wellbeing in the areas of autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, and selfacceptance/ purpose in life, together with a reduction in medication and hospitalisation. In a longitudinal study surveying the wellbeing of 28 new GROW members with 6-month follow-up, there were statistically significant improvements on all wellbeing factors. A major theme emerging from ethnographic and phenomenological research was that GROW offers a ?real life? mini-community where people learn social and life management skills. However, beyond skills acquisition, GROW offers the potential for identity transformation by assisting the realisation of core human needs ? a sense of feeling useful, valuable and belonging. 
ER  -

