Activism through Self-Help Group Membership

Abstract

This article explores some of the dynamics of a special andfast-growingform of small group phenomenon-the self-help group. Specifically, the article analyzes the role of self-help group membership as a majorfacilitator of activismforparents of children with cancer Few studies of self-help groups have compared members with nonmembers, let alone related membership to reported life change. Using datafrom 93 parents of children with cancer, this article assesses the relationships between parents' demographics, coping styles, self-help group membership status, and reports ofpositive changes in parents'activism-their active involvement in improving the medical system caring for their children. Findings indicate that although individual parents' active coping styles are linked to increased activism, self-help group membership clearly plays the most important role in explaining the variance in this aspect ofparents ' life change. In contrast to much of the existing literature, discussion and implications focus not only on the individual activism that may be related to self-help group membership but also on the potentialforsocial activism or collective effort that groups can enhance.