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Abstract This article is co-authored by five patients living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and a primary care physician who has over 30 years of clinical experience and is involved in educating healthcare professionals. The first section of this article is authored by the patients, who describe their experiences of living with COPD. The section that follows is authored by the physician, who discusses the management of COPD in the context of the patients’ experiences.

Abstract Background Retirement and aging are phenomena that often occur simultaneously and lead to various physical and psychological changes in older adults. Retirement syndrome consists of symptoms such as feelings of emptiness, loneliness, uselessness, lack of clear understanding of future conditions and dissatisfaction with one’s performance after retirement. This phenomenon requires interventions to adapt to these changes. Considering the supportive role of nurses, the formation of support groups as an effective intervention in adapting to transitional stages is emphasized. Aims This study aims to investigate the effect of older adults’ participation in support groups on retirement syndrome. Methods This Quasi-experimental study recruited a total of 80 retired older adults meeting the inclusion criteria from three Retirement Associations (Retirement centers for social security retirees are among the institutions that have been set up by the government and this organization to provide face-to-face and offline services to social security retirees, as well as providing some facilities to this segment of the society). in Iran, Research samples were randomly assigned to two intervention and control groups. The demographic questionnaire and retirement syndrome questionnaire were completed by both groups at the beginning of the study. Then, four support group sessions lasting 60 to 90 min were held twice a week for the support group, and eight weeks after the end of the intervention, the questionnaires were completed for both groups. The data were analyzed using statistical tests in SPSS version 16. The significance level was set at p

Based on the fieldwork done with two support groups for people who had contact with a “violent death”, this article examines the different dimensions and characteristics of these individuals’ lives that shapes what we call grief. Mobilizing a pragmatic and pragmatist approach, I argue that there are different (non-linear) phases/scopes characterized by a collective work on personal remembrance and on intimate sensations, whose objective is to encourage people in mourning to conceive future possibilities in their lives. The process goes from the breaking with past habits caused by the extreme event to the investigation of new potential for action which aims to build new stable habits. I show how the transformation of sensations and the engagement in collective activities contribute to this indefinite period as a “life ordeal”, characterized as mourning by the groups and individuals studied.

Abstract Background More people with rare diseases likely receive disease education and emotional and practical support from peer-led support groups than any other way. Most rare-disease support groups are delivered outside of the health care system by untrained leaders. Potential benefits may not be achieved and harms, such as dissemination of inaccurate information, may occur. Our primary objective was to evaluate the effects of a rare-disease support group leader education program, which was developed collaboratively by researchers, peer support group leaders, and patient organization leaders, compared to waitlist control, on peer leader self-efficacy among scleroderma support group leaders. Methods The trial was a pragmatic, two-arm partially nested randomised controlled trial with 1:1 allocation into intervention or waitlist control. Eligible participants were existing or candidate peer support group leaders affiliated with a scleroderma patient organization. Leader training was delivered in groups of 5–6 participants weekly for 13 weeks in 60–90 min sessions via the GoToMeeting® videoconferencing platform. The program included 12 general leader training modules and one module specific to scleroderma. Primary outcome was leader self-efficacy, measured by the Support Group Leader Self-efficacy Scale (SGLSS) immediately post-intervention. Secondary outcomes were leader self-efficacy 3 months post-intervention; emotional distress, leader burnout, and volunteer satisfaction post-intervention and 3 months post-intervention; and program satisfaction among intervention participants post-intervention. Results One hundred forty-eight participants were randomised to intervention (N = 74) or waitlist (N = 74). Primary outcome data were provided by 146 (99%) participants. Mean number of sessions attended was 11.4 (standard deviation = 2.6). Mean program satisfaction score (CSQ-8) was 30.3 (standard deviation = 3.0; possible range 8–32). Compared to waitlist control, leader self-efficacy was higher post-intervention [SGLSS; 16.7 points, 95% CI 11.0–22.3; standardized mean difference (SMD) 0.84] and 3 months later (15.6 points, 95% CI 10.2–21.0; SMD 0.73); leader volunteer satisfaction was significantly higher at both assessments, emotional distress was lower post-intervention but not 3 months later, and leader burnout was not significantly different at either assessment. Conclusions Peer support group leader education improved leader self-efficacy substantially. The program could be easily adapted for support group leaders in other rare diseases. Trial registration: NCT03965780 ; registered on May 29, 2019.

Background and Objectives: As there is an increasing reliance on the internet for medical information, patients diagnosed with rare diseases have turned to online community forums to share information about their diagnoses. These forums help patients to gather and share information about their experience with disease. Additionally, these platforms enable patients to build unique connections based on their shared experiences. The objective of this study was to review shared posts in online community forums by individuals with soft tissue sarcomas to better understand commonly discussed themes. This information may improve the physicians’ understanding of patients’ concerns and feelings at the time of diagnosis and treatment. Methods: We entered “sarcoma discussion forum” in search engines to identify internet discussion boards. Four major discussion forums were analyzed, and posts written between January 1, 2017 through May 1, 2022 addressing soft tissue sarcomas present in the upper and lower extremities were collected. Each post was analyzed by the two investigators in three steps (open coding, axial coding, and selective coding). Results: A total of 506 posts were included in the final analysis. We used twenty-seven axial codes and four selective codes. Emotional Aspects/Connecting with Others was the most common theme (77 % of posts) followed by Information Support: Treatment (38 % of posts), Information Support: Diagnosis (24 % of posts) and Information Support: Recovery (21 % of posts). Conclusions: The most prevalent theme was centered on emotional aspects of these patients’ journeys, highlighting the importance of providing resources to address emotional support for patients with soft tissue sarcoma and their families. Level IV: Qualitative research study

Background: Support groups have been advocated in the care of patients with HIV and are integrated into HIV care and treatment programs. Objectives: This study aimed to assess in patients living with HIV, their awareness of support groups, knowledge of its benefits, and perceived barriers to their participation. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 430 consenting adult patients being managed for HIV/AIDS at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu. Patients were recruited consecutively over 4 weeks, and information on their sociodemographic data, knowledge, and membership of HIV support groups was obtained using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23. The level of significance was < 0.05, and the confidence interval was 95%. Results: The mean age of the participants was 42.8 ± 6.58 years and 70.5% were female. A diagnosis of HIV for more than 10 years was reported in 141 participants (32.8%). While 260 (60.5%) were aware of support groups, only 41 (15.8%) belonged to a support group. While 84 (21.6%) did not participate because support group meetings were hard to find where they live, 79 (20.3%) could not attend because of their job. HIV diagnosis for more than 10 years was significantly associated with higher participation in support groups (P = 0.005). Conclusion: Participation in support groups was low in our patients and several barriers were reported, with the most common being poor accessibility to support group meetings.

Abstract Background Currently the most effective treatment for severe obesity in adolescents is weight-loss surgery coupled with lifestyle behavior change. In preparation for weight-loss surgery, adolescents are required to make changes to eating and activity habits (lifestyle changes) to promote long term success. Social media support groups, which are popular among adolescents, have the potential to augment preoperative lifestyle changes. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively assess the perceived role of social media as a support tool for weight-loss, and to identify motivators and constraints to lifestyle changes and social media use in adolescents preparing for weight-loss surgery. Methods Thematic analysis of social media comments from 13 (3 male, 10 female) adolescents aged 16 ± 1.3 years with a body mass index (BMI) 45 ± 7.3 kg/m2 enrolled in a weight-management program preparing for bariatric surgery and who participated in a 12-week pilot social media intervention was performed. Participants commented on moderator posts and videos of nutrition, physical activity, and motivation that were shared three to four times per week. Social media comments were coded using NVivo 11.0 to identify recurrent themes and subthemes. Results 1) Social media provided accountability, emotional support, and shared behavioral strategies. 2) Motivators for lifestyle changes included family support, personal goals, and non-scale victories. 3) Challenges included negative peers, challenges with planning and tracking, and time constraints. Conclusion Adolescents considering bariatric surgery identified social media as a tool for social support and reinforcement of strategies for successful behavior change. Important motivators and challenges to lifestyle changes were identified.

Abstract Background A significant proportion of patients with chronic tinnitus report clinical levels of sleep disturbance (insomnia). Despite the significant health and functioning implications of this, no rigorous trials have investigated treatments that target tinnitus-related insomnia. This is the first randomised controlled trial evaluating Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for insomnia (CBTi) in tinnitus compared with other psychological treatments. Methods/design The study will test the efficacy of group CBTi as a treatment for tinnitus-related insomnia in a single-centre randomised controlled trial. Participants will be 102 patients with chronic, clinically significant tinnitus and insomnia in the absence of organic sleep disorders. Participants will be randomised to one of three intervention arms: six sessions of CBTi or six sessions of sleep support group or two sessions of audiologically based care. The primary outcomes will be changes in sleep as measured on the Insomnia Severity Index and key outcomes on a 2-week sleep diary (sleep efficiency and total sleep time). Outcomes will be collected 3, 10, 14 and 34 weeks post-randomisation. Secondary measures include sleep quality, sleep beliefs, tinnitus severity, psychological distress and quality of life. A sub-sample of participants will provide two weeks of actigraphy data at the same time points. Data on satisfaction and treatment experience will be collected at 10 and 34 weeks post-randomisation from all participants. Discussion Findings from the study will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal. It is anticipated that findings may inform future clinical practice in the treatment of tinnitus-related insomnia. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03386123. Retrospectively registered on 29 December 2017.

Abstract Background Some people with rare diseases rely on peer-led support groups for disease-specific education and emotional and practical support. Systemic sclerosis (SSc), or scleroderma, is a rare autoimmune connective tissue disease. Many people with SSc cannot access support groups, and, when support groups exist, they may not be sustained due to challenges that could be addressed via leader training. The Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network (SPIN), along with SSc patient organization partners, developed a training program for SSc patient support group leaders, the Scleroderma Support group Leader EDucation (SPIN-SSLED) Program. We recently completed a feasibility trial in which we successfully delivered the program to two groups of support group leaders who reported a high level of satisfaction with the program and its delivery. The primary objective of the full-scale SPIN-SSLED trial is to evaluate the effect of the program on support group leaders’ self-efficacy for carrying out their leadership role. Secondary objectives include evaluating effects on leader burnout, leader satisfaction (participation efficacy), and emotional distress. Methods/design The SPIN-SSLED trial is a pragmatic randomized controlled trial (RCT) in which 180 support group leaders will be randomly allocated to training groups of 6 participants each or to a waitlist control. We will use a partially nested RCT design to reflect dependence between individuals in training groups, but not in the waitlist control. Participants allocated to the training program will receive the 13-module SPIN-SSLED Program, delivered via webinar over the course of 3 months in weekly 60–90-min sessions. The primary outcome is leader self-efficacy, measured by the Scleroderma Support Group Leader Self-efficacy Scale post-intervention. Secondary outcomes are leader self-efficacy at 3 months post-intervention, and leader burnout, volunteer job satisfaction (participation efficacy), and emotional distress post-intervention and at 3 months post-intervention. Discussion The SPIN-SSLED trial will test whether a training program for SSc patient support group leaders increases the self-efficacy of group leaders to carry out leadership tasks. The program has the potential to significantly improve the effectiveness and sustainability of existing SSc support groups, to increase the number of available support groups, and to be adapted for other chronic diseases. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03965780. Registered on 29 May 2019.

The presence of stoma in individuals causes physical, psychological and social problems. For this reason, individuals with stoma need effective psychosocial interventions in order to adapt to the stoma. One of these effective psychosocial interventions is support groups. Support groups are defined as groups of individuals with the same problem that provide common support through interpersonal relationships. Individuals generally need to join these groups when natural social support networks are inadequate or if their psychosocial needs are not met. Sharing experiences with other group members in the support group intervention creates positive effects, and solutions are developed for problems with participation in the group. In many studies carried out with other patient groups, support group intervention has positive effects and individuals improve their quality of life. In our country, there is no ongoing support group intervention for individuals with stoma, but in order to help develop psychosocial adaptation to stoma and its effects, nurses should raise awareness about the need for support group intervention and implement these interventions.

Abstract Background Peer-led support groups play an important role in supporting people with chronic diseases. They may be particularly important for people with rare diseases who typically do not have access to professional support options that focus on their disease-specific needs. Many peer-led support groups in rare diseases, however, are not sustained, and many patients do not have access to support groups. Training and education for peer support group leaders could address barriers to initiating and sustaining groups, but there is little evidence on the effectiveness of support group leader training programs. A previous systematic review evaluated the effects of training programs for peer leaders of support groups for people with medical illness on leader and support group outcomes, but it identified only one randomized controlled trial (RCT) that compared high- and low-resource training programs for cancer support group leaders. The trial did not find evidence that the high-resource program was more effective, but was limited by a small sample size and serious methodological limitations. To meet the needs of people living with the rare autoimmune connective tissue disease scleroderma, the Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network has partnered with patient organizations to develop the Scleroderma Support group Leader EDucation Program, and a full-scale RCT to test the effectiveness of the program is planned. To verify the need for such a trial, we updated the previous systematic review. Updated evidence Review methods for the update were unchanged from the initial review. The updated database search yielded 1504 unique citations in addition to the 9757 assessed for eligibility in the previous review. All additional citations identified in the updated search were excluded at the title and abstract review stage. Conclusions Our systematic review update found that there is presently insufficient evidence on the effectiveness of training and support programs for peer leaders of disease-based support groups, highlighting the need for well-designed and rigorously conducted RCTs to examine the effects of training for peer leaders of support groups, especially in a rare disease context. The Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network’s trial of the Scleroderma Support group Leader EDucation Program will serve as such a trial. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42018096369

Objective: This qualitative descriptive exploratory study aimed to explore the lived experiences of married Pakistani women, 2 years post-mastectomy. Methods: Twelve participants were recruited through purposive sampling from outpatient oncology clinic from a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan. Interviews were audio-taped and transcribed, and then themes and sub-themes were identified. Results: Women verbalized a range of their experiences throughout the span from diagnosis to mastectomy. One over arching theme, quality of life and four main themes and their subthemes emerged from the data. Following are the themes; from history to diagnosis, worries, coping strategies, and recommendations. Conclusions: The study findings revealed that effective coping strategies were beneficial for these women, as these women coped well after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Strong recommendations were made by the participants for the formulation of support groups, which could help them reduce their anxiety through information exchange.

The psychosocial aspect of various congenital anomalies like esophageal atresia (EA) with/or without a tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) being the cause of Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety in parents of these children, is often overlooked by medical professionals. Support groups may be useful to address a part of this problem and form an important aspect of emotional support for any rare or congenital disease. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted to assess the need for a formal support group for parents of patients born with EA and to emphasize the role of emotional support for these parents and children. A questionnaire was sent to members of an informal WhatsApp group which included participants with diverse demographics across private and public platforms, across South Africa. The questions focused on 3 main areas: demographic data, diagnosis and the surgery, and information about the participant’s emotional support. All the data were inserted in an excel datasheet and descriptive statistical analysis was used. Questions were sent to 14 members of an informal WhatsApp group. Eight were included in the study. All 8 participants were mothers of children born with an EA with a TEF. The questions about the need for emotional support focus on the time after the baby was born. The majority (87.5%) of the mothers felt that they could bond with their babies during pregnancy, but in contrast, 75% felt that they missed an opportunity to bond with their babies after birth, mainly because they were not allowed to hold their babies for up to 11 days after birth. Only 1 of the mothers were in contact with other families with children born with EA, and 6 of the remaining 7 agreed that this would have helped them during this emotionally challenging time. All 8 thought that sharing their stories with others could have helped them emotionally and all agreed that an EA/TEF support group was a good idea. The family, as another patient, ought to be treated and included in the overall treatment plan if we aim to improve the quality of life for both the patients and their families. Disease-specific support groups can play a major role in the emotional well-being of both the children born with EA and their families.

Abstract Parents' child feeding practices are influenced not only by family but also by a broader circle of networks, including online groups. Peer‐to‐peer platforms such as Facebook groups facilitate a learning environment and may influence the transmission of user‐generated content into practice. These digital data not only benefit participants but also offer new opportunities for researchers to study related phenomena. Therefore, this study employs thematic content analysis to investigate peer‐exchanging discourse conveyed in Facebook peer‐support groups in children's diets in Thailand. To identify the area of interest, we classified and quantified the initial posts and investigated the relationship between initial posts' contents and community engagement. Thematic analysis was used to qualitatively describe the peer‐exchanging content that responded to the initial posts. Of the five approved Facebook groups, 200 initial posts with their 1964 comments were extracted anonymously. Results revealed that Facebook groups devoted to diets for children have become a platform for Thai parents to seek informational and emotional support. The top‐ranked initial posts were related to requesting knowledge and skills about age‐appropriate food and meal preparation. Parents have also expressed anxiety about feeding and tension related to food fussiness which created the need for emotional support. Age‐appropriate feeding, homemade baby foods, concerns about food seasonings and food allergy awareness were observable within online groups. However, a shift from traditional child feeding practices to new ideas created cultural gaps which lead to arguments in some families. Understanding these views would help guide to address parental concerns better.

Background: The major strength of support groups stems from their ability to help patients manage their health within and outside the traditional hospital settings. Despite the known benefits of support groups for people living with cancer, ethnographic studies documenting the cancer patients’ experiences of living with cancer within the support group contexts in KwaZulu-Natal are scarce. Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the experiences of patients living with cancer within a support group setting. Setting: The study setting was support groups in KwaZulu- Natal, South Africa. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted using, participant observation, focus group discussions and in-depth interviews. Data were generated over a 3-month period. Purposive sampling was used to identify the information-rich participants. Thematic data analysis was performed in order to obtain insights into the collective meaning of data generated. Results: Participants viewed the support group settings as creating an environment with a unique sense of community. This was in contrast with the sense of isolation, rejection and lack of empowering knowledge on cancer, often experienced outside these contexts. Moreover, the support groups were lauded for facilitating positive relationships with family and friends and providing a safe space for members to freely express their emotions. Conclusion: Psychosocial support provided by support groups can help to ameliorate the distress caused by cancer diagnosis and its treatment; however, these support groups are still few and far in between. Therefore, there should be a greater investment in establishing support groups.

Background: Empowerment is an increasingly popular goal, considered core to a transformative agenda for children with disabilities and their families. However, it can still be a poorly understood concept in practice. Objective: This article is an empirical analysis of the ‘empowerment journeys’ of caregivers participating in a community-based training programme in Ghana. Method: In-depth interviews were conducted with 18 caregivers at three time points over 14 months. Thematic analysis was conducted on the full data set, with three representative case studies selected for more detailed analysis to illustrate the dynamism of time and context in shaping the empowerment journey. Results: Our findings illuminate the complexity and non-linearity of the caregiver empowerment journey. There were important gains in individual dimensions of power and the nascent emergence of collective power, through improved knowledge and valuable peer support from group membership. However, further gains were impeded by their limited influence over wider economic and sociopolitical structural issues that perpetuated their experiences of poverty, stigma and the gendered nature of caregiving. The support group facilitator often played a valuable brokering role to help traverse individual agency and structural issues. Conclusion: A richer and more nuanced understanding of caregiver empowerment in the community and family context can inform the wider discourse on disability. Guidelines on working with people with disabilities, and the role of empowerment, should not neglect the pivotal role of caregivers. There are important lessons to be learnt if we want to improve family-centred interventions and transform the lives of children with disabilities.

Introduction to the Fall 2020 issue that describes our summer 2020 writing camp #WriteWithAphra.

Background: Some nursing students might experience lower and median levels of happiness; hence, providing some interventions would be crucial for them. Objective: This study aimed to compare the effects of Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) exercise and support group therapy on happiness amongst nursing students. Design: This was a randomized controlled trial study. Participants: In this study, 150 nursing students participated. They were selected from nursing and midwifery school of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Methods: 150 nursing students were divided into three groups (PMR exercise (n = 50), support group therapy (n = 50), and control (n = 50)). PMR exercise and support group therapy were carried out over five consecutive 45-minute sessions per week for 50 participants in groups of 10. Oxford Happiness Inventory was used before and after the interventions. In order to compare the mean score of happiness between two and three groups, t-test, and ANCOVA were used, respectively. Results: After the intervention, the mean scores of happiness were 55.26 (SD = 16.26), 35.16 (SD = 12.69), and 34.22 (SD = 11.83) in the PMR exercise, support group therapy, and control groups, respectively. The results indicated a significant difference amongst the three groups regarding happiness after the intervention (p

Abstract Background The reported high rate of relapse in the context of an ever-increasing rate of substance abuse internationally and in South Africa together with the fact that the topic of sustained recovery from Substance Use Disorder (SUD) appears to be totally neglected in extant literature and research agendas motivated the researchers to conduct this investigation. The aim was to obtain an in-depth understanding of how individuals recovering from a SUD experience and sustain their recovery in order to fill the gap in the knowledge base. Methods A qualitative research approach was followed, employing a narrative and phenomenological research design alongside an explorative, descriptive and contextual strategy of inquiry. Fifteen participants were purposefully recruited; and data were collected by means of individual, face-to-face interviews. Schlossberg’s Transition Process Model (1981) (Schlossberg NK, The Counselling Psychologist 1981;9(2):2-18, Schlossberg NK, Journal of Employment Counselling 2011;48:159-162, Anderson ML et al., Counselling adults in transition: linking Schlossberg’s theory with practice in a diverse world., 2012) served as a theoretical framework and provided the backdrop to, and foundation for, the presentation of the research findings. Results Participants’ entry into recovery was triggered by an internal or external crisis caused by chemical substance abuse. They had to embrace a psychological mind set change, involving commitment to a new way of life in order to sustain their recovery. This, among others, was facilitated by participants’ acceptance of the concept of ‘disease of addiction’ or finding a new faith-based identity. The 12-Step programme and further education and development were found to spiritually support sustained recovery. Strong ongoing support from specialised substance abuse support and/or religious groups, interpersonal relationships with family, spouses and sponsors as well as supportive work environments played a major role in sustaining recovery. The act of helping others further helped the participants to sustain their own recovery. Conclusion Regardless of the pathway of recovery, there are key aspects that appear to aid sustained recovery. In grouping these according to the four S’s in Schlossberg’s Transition Process Model (Schlossberg NK, The Counselling Psychologist 1981;9(2):2-18, Journal of Employment Counselling 2011;48:159-162, Anderson ML et al., Counselling adults in transition: linking Schlossberg’s theory with practice in a diverse world., 2012): self, situation, strategies and support, they seem to facilitate the adaptation to transition from addiction to sobriety. Internal psychological and spiritual resources in terms of self; support (from family, church and support groups); strategies to combat cravings and deal with life problems; and avoiding and managing risk-inducing situations to strengthen recovery.

While searching the Internet for health information is now commonplace, giving and receiving medical expertise on social media platforms such as Instagram (IG) is underexplored. In order to investigate the ways in which social media platforms are a resource for seeking medical expertise, we employed a multimodal discourse analysis; specifically, we focused on the hashtag #ttc and the engagement of the IG community it comprised. We examined three main themes around medical expertise during treatment indexed by the hashtag: treatment protocol choices, treatment side effects and pregnancy diagnosis/confirmation. Our findings suggest that social media platforms provide a new arena in which patients can challenge medical expertise by circumventing it or adopting lay expertise instead of practitioner suggestions. We close with research implications and suggestions for further research.

In medical literature about management of Intersex, there has been considerable debate addressing ethical issues on medical practice ―informed consent, parents’ rights to make decisions about surgery on infants or whether children should be surgically altered to suit the binary gender norms of society―. Selecting the best management for the various intersex situations can be complex, and several proposals concerning ethical principles have emerged. During the annual meeting of the Spanish support group Grapsia, we coordinated a “Bioethics and Intersex/DSD” discussion group, with the aim to identify some key elements to enhance socio-health care for people with intersex variations and their families. On the one hand, it is necessary to consider the particularities of each context and the constraints imposed by the structure and organization of each country's health systems. On the other hand, it is crucial to include insights of patients taking part in support groups and their families.

Social Group Work is a boon to the social work practitioners which make easy to work with groups. It may be challenging to initiate groups in HIV/AIDS sector due to stigma and discrimination, but few NGOs have implemented efficiently social group work practice with the HIV affected people. HIV/AIDS is one of the significant social problems in developing countries like India. It is associated with Social Stigma and Discrimination and also a barrier to the development of the nations. Support groups are an instrument for the HIV infected people to reduce stigma and discrimination and promote quality of life. Krishna District of Andhra Pradesh has been selected as a research setting for the present study. It is one of the highest HIV prevalence district in Andhra Pradesh. It is observed that six nongovernmental organizations are working in HIV/AIDS sector in Krishna District. The researcher used observation method and interacted with NGO directors, people living with HIV/AIDS, Children affected by AIDS and also grannies to know about the activities of their groups. Practical work experience of the researcher is also an additional advantage to this study. The research conducted six focus group discussions to know about the issues and challenges of different groups in HIV/AIDS sector. This article therefore will throw light upon the Social Group Work practice in various nongovernmental organizations working in HIV/AIDS sector in Andhra Pradesh. The study observed that the NGOs started groups for children, adult, and grannies affected by AIDS. In addition to that, they have also started positive networks for the people infected to solve the problems by themselves.

Social Group Work is a boon to the social work practitioners which make easy to work with groups. It may be challenging to initiate groups in HIV/AIDS sector due to stigma and discrimination, but few NGOs have implemented efficiently social group work practice with the HIV affected people. HIV/AIDS is one of the significant social problems in developing countries like India. It is associated with Social Stigma and Discrimination and also a barrier to the development of the nations. Support groups are an instrument for the HIV infected people to reduce stigma and discrimination and promote quality of life. Krishna District of Andhra Pradesh has been selected as a research setting for the present study. It is one of the highest HIV prevalence district in Andhra Pradesh. It is observed that six nongovernmental organizations are working in HIV/AIDS sector in Krishna District. The researcher used observation method and interacted with NGO directors, people living with HIV/AIDS, Children affected by AIDS and also grannies to know about the activities of their groups. Practical work experience of the researcher is also an additional advantage to this study. The research conducted six focus group discussions to know about the issues and challenges of different groups in HIV/AIDS sector. This article therefore will throw light upon the Social Group Work practice in various nongovernmental organizations working in HIV/AIDS sector in Andhra Pradesh. The study observed that the NGOs started groups for children, adult, and grannies affected by AIDS. In addition to that, they have also started positive networks for the people infected to solve the problems by themselves.

Introduction: One of the ways of building and developing a better cooperative relationship between parents of people with severe and profound intellectual disabilities and professional staff is the inclusion of parents in support groups for parents and staff in support groups for staff. Goal: To examine the correlation of the level of cooperative relationship between the parents of people with severe and profound intellectual disabilities and professional staff with the inclusion of parents in support groups for parents and staff in support groups for staff. Methodology: Respondents: parents (296) of people with severe and profound learning disabilities and staff (298) in five centres across Slovenia; Methods: descriptive statistics, test of homogeneity, the rankit method, one-way analysis of variance; Procedures: survey questionnaires for parents and staff. The data was processed using SPSS software for personal computers. Results: The difference between the variances of the groups (parent) found is statistically significant (F = 6.16; p = 0.01). Staff included in support groups have a significantly lower level of cooperative relationship with parents (f=10; M = - 0.12) than staff not included in these groups (f = 191; M = 0.04). Conclusion:In contrast to theoretical findings the results indicated less successful cooperation for professional staff included in support groups. The results furthermore did not confirm any differences in the cooperative relationship of parents included in support groups and those who are not. We suggest an in-depth analysis of the workings of support groups.

This is an exploratory case study with a qualitative approach, undertaken in a psycho-social care center in the North-Eastern region of Brazil, with 20 family members of service users. The objective was to analyze their conceptions regarding the care offered; to identify whether the family members perceived that the professionals at the Center contribute to the promotion of the service users’ autonomy and social inclusion; and to check to what extent the family group has been an efficient strategy for promoting the care for the service users. The empirical material was produced through semi-structured interviews held between August and September 2010, and submitted to content analysis. The results show that the participation in the family group made it possible for families to contribute to the treatment proposed, becoming co-responsible in the care process offered. The family members were encouraged to promote the service user’s autonomy and inclusion in society.

And who will take care of the caregiver? Supporting caregivers after the admission of a relative to a care facility The caregiver plays an important role in the care of relatives. Government policy is aimed to offer maximum support to caregivers in order to fulfill their role as caregivers as long as possible. But what happens if the care becomes too heavy and admission to a care facility is inevitable? This article discusses the support caregivers need after their relative is admitted to a care facility. A difficult period for caregivers in which they search for a new role in a new situation. En wie zorgt er voor de mantelzorger? Ondersteuning van mantelzorgers na opname van hun naaste De mantelzorger speelt een belangrijke rol in de zorg voor naasten. Het overheidsbeleid is erop gericht de mantelzorger zoveel mogelijk te ondersteunen bij het kunnen blijven vervullen van deze rol. Maar wat als de zorg te zwaar wordt en opname in een zorginstelling onvermijdelijk is? Dit artikel focust zich op de ondersteuning die mantelzorgers nodig hebben nadat hun naaste is opgenomen in een zorginstelling. Voor de mantelzorgers is dit een moeilijke periode waarin zij een nieuwe rol moeten zoeken in een nieuwe situatie.

Estudo descritivo de abordagem qualitativa, realizado em um grupo de artesanato de uma Unidade Básica de Saúde do município de Maringá - PR, no período de março a agosto de 2009. Objetivou-se compreender os motivos de inserção de mulheres no grupo de artesanato. Para coleta de dados utilizaram-se a observação participante e entrevista aberta. Os sujeitos do estudo foram 11 mulheres. Os dados foram analisados segundo a técnica de análise de conteúdo, de onde emergiram três categorias: Propiciando a promoção da saúde mental; Encontrando um espaço que promove a fala, a escuta e a partilha e; Buscando um espaço de ensino/aprendizado. Observamos que participar do grupo vem contribuindo para melhoria da qualidade de vida destas mulheres que se encontravam em situação de sofrimento emocional, oferecendo condições favoráveis ao desenvolvimento do ponto de vista psicossocial.Estudio descriptivo de abordaje cualitativo, realizado en un grupo de artesanía de una Unidad Básica de Salud del municipio de Maringá - PR, durante el periodo de marzo a agosto de 2009. El objetivo fue comprender los motivos de inserción de mujeres en el grupo de artesanía. Para la colecta de datos, se utilizó la observación participativa y una entrevista abierta realizada a domicilio. Los sujetos del estudio fueron 11 mujeres. Los datos fueron analizados según la técnica de análisis de contenido, de donde emergieron tres categorías: Proporcionar la promoción de la salud mental; Búsqueda de un espacio para hablar, escuchar y compartir y; Búsqueda de un espacio de educación/aprendizado. Observamos que la participación del grupo viene contribuyendo para la mejoría de la calidad de vida de estas mujeres que se encontraban en situación de sufrimiento emocional, ofreciendo condiciones favorables para su desarrollo psicosocial.Current paper deals with a descriptive study based on a qualitative approach with regard to an artisan group of a Health Basic Unit in the municipality of Maringá PR Brazil, between March and August 2009. The objective was to understand the reasons for inserting women in the artisan group. Data collection techniques comprised a participatory observation and an open interview carried out at the home of eleven female subjects. Data were investigated according to content analysis technique through which three categories emerged: Providing promotion of a mental health; integrating a space which encourages speaking, listening and sharing; seeking a space for teaching and learning. Group participation contributed towards an improvement in the life quality of female subjects who found themselves in emotional pain conditions and offered favorable conditions from the point of view of psychic and social development.

HIV-infected women need support to deal with their diagnosis as well as with the stigma attached to HIV. As part of their practical training, Master's-level psychology students negotiated with the staff of four clinics in townships in Tshwane, South Africa, to establish support groups for HIV+ women and offered to assist them in facilitating the groups. This study aimed to understand why the implementation of groups was successful in one clinic and not other clinics. The student reports on their experiences and interaction with clinic staff and clients were used as sources of data. Using qualitative data analysis, different dynamics and factors that could affect project implementation were identified in each clinic. The socio-ecological and systems theories were used to understand implementation processes and obstacles in implementation. The metaphor of building a bridge over a gorge was used to describe the different phases in and obstacles to the implementation of the intervention. Valuable lessons were learnt, resulting in the development of guiding principles for the implementation of support groups in community settings.

Women living with HIV in a stigmatising community need support to cope with their HIV status. In a process of action research, a structured support group programme was designed to meet the needs of women to cope with their diagnosis and interpersonal relationships. The emphasis was on identifying their needs and developing programme material to address those needs through group participation and interaction. The programme was pilot-tested at two sites located in two townships in Tshwane, South Africa. Feedback after each session made it possible to adjust the programme to the needs of the participants. In a formative evaluation, audio-taped sessions, process notes of facilitators, and experiences of the participants were used to identify therapeutic elements, the value of the groups and the problems in the implementation process. Women reported benefit from participation in the support groups. A 10-session structured programme to be used in support groups addressing the most important needs of HIV-positive women was developed.

Both emotional and physical demands faced by Alzheimer's disease caregivers are very difficult to meet. Often, the amount of strength and calmness needed to fulfil the role of caregiver is beyond the person’s adaptability. The aim of this article is the data analysis of the Alzheimer’s disease caregivers online support groups and problems the caregivers face on the daily basis. Authors compared discussions and solutions available in polish language with methods used in other countries. The study was conducted in late April and May of 2013 by analyzing the user posts found on Polish webistes that associates the caregivers of people suffering form Alzheimer’s disease. Authors assumed that there is a difference between citizens of different countries in the access to useful information that may help in solving daily problems. Confirmation of this hypothesis may indicate the need for modifications by creating a professional platform that associates Alzheimer’s disease caregivers. Authors also analyzed remedies caregivers use and emotional functioning. By presenting recurring problems regarding diagnosis, burnout and coping with daily stress. They try to answer important question: what must be done to meet the needs of caregivers presented via the message boards. They are trying to prove that access to professional knowledge and presence in the environment that brings together caregivers can significantly improve level of performance and satisfaction. Even if the aid is granted only through an online platform of information sharing, the support effects are clearly visible.

Objectives: Describe the profile of women and their motivations for attending support groups. Describe the assessment of women on the resolution of the problems that have arisen during their attendance at support groups. Assess the degree of satisfaction with the service received.Material and methods: The research was carried out in the health zone of “Obispo Paulo de Mérida” (Badajoz) in the breast feeding support group. A descriptive transversal study was realised. The surveys were done ad hoc and collected during the support group sessions between May 2007 and December 2007. All the women who passed three months of breast feeding and who wished to participate were included in the research. Outcomes: 77.5% of the mothers solved their problems with breastfeeding thanks to the group. All the mothers describe the period of breastfeeding as pleasant and 95 % of them emphasize the importance of attending the group. All the mothers considered that attending the group was a positive experience. The main reason why they decided to attend the group was due to having problems with breastfeeding, 37.5 %.Conclusions: Breastfeeding supporting groups directed by the primary attention midwife can be considered as a useful tool in promotion postnatal breastfeeding. It gives information to the problems solving their problems.

Este estudo teve como objetivo identificar fatores terapêuticos em um grupo de apoio para pacientes com transtornos alimentares (anorexia e bulimia). O grupo de apoio psicológico é parte da estratégia de assistência oferecida por um serviço especializado em saúde. Duas sessões, com um total de 10 participantes, foram audiogravadas e transcritas na íntegra. A análise de conteúdo temática evidenciou que, ao reconhecerem na experiência alheia aspectos semelhantes aos seus próprios problemas, os participantes puderam se identificar uns com os outros e construir um espaço homogeneizado pela normalização das dificuldades. Além disso, os participantes mencionaram que o grupo promove esperança, conforto e bem-estar a partir do compartilhamento de experiências vitais. Desse modo, universalidade e instilação de esperança foram os principais fatores terapêuticos de apoio ativados nas sessões grupais, contribuindo para potencializar processos de mudança em uma perspectiva ampliada de saúde.

Este estudo teve como objetivo compreender a construção de si mesmo a partir do discurso de pessoas diagnosticadas com anorexia e bulimia, participantes de um grupo de apoio psicológico. Participaram 14 jovens atendidas em um serviço público de saúde de um hospital universitário. A partir do referencial histórico-cultural bakhtiniano, analisaram-se qualitativamente as transcrições audiogravadas de 10 sessões consecutivas do grupo. Constatou-se que os discursos produzidos socialmente sobre os transtornos alimentares são evocados nas falas das participantes e encontram no grupo um espaço para que possam ser contestados, negociados ou aceitos, promovendo a desconstrução de mitos erigidos em torno da enfermidade. A análise empreendida aponta o grupo como uma ferramenta terapêutica significativa para a produção de novos sentidos, não patologizantes com relação aos transtornos alimentares e seus portadores.

Ten percent of Belgians are natural caregivers. These are confronted to major issues. Support groups are places of respite for relatives. They allow informal learning. The facilitators are confronted with the suffering of the participants on the one hand, and their own vulnerability on the other hand. This publication draws on the results of an exploratory research about the experiences of facilitators and participants in support groups for relatives of people who are confronted with life events. The article addresses informal learning, vulnerability, marginality, types of knowledge, disclosure, and speaking for vulnerable audiences. Six of the sixteen facilitators have themselves a personal experience directly linked to the theme of the group they manage.