Synonyms
Definition
A support group is composed of 6–12 people who meet periodically to obtain expert information and/or training and to share their experience and gain support from one another as a way of improving their coping and well-being.
Description
Unlike self-help, mutual aid (MASH) groups (see entry by Borkman), support groups are led or co-led by professional practitioners such as physicians, social workers, occupational therapists, and nurses who bring expert information and/or training to the group and facilitate group interaction and support. Different professionals may rotate from one session to another in order to present information on different topics, or one professional may educate or train the group on a consistent basis. Similarly, some support groups are “closed” in the sense that they have a fixed membership, whereas others are “open” allowing members to come and go depending on session topics and meeting schedules....
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Gottlieb, B.H. (2014). Support Group(s). In: Michalos, A.C. (eds) Encyclopedia of Quality of Life and Well-Being Research. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0753-5_1897
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0753-5_1897
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