DIFFERENCES IN THE PERCEIVED BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP AMONG TYPES OF SELF-HELP AND SUPPORT GROUPS

The article shows the results of the cross-sectional study on a national level in Slovenia aimed at examining the differences in the perceived benefits for members (N = 639) in self-help and support groups regarding the helping characteristics of the group, perceived empowerment, and member influence on the group among group types. The group types were formed by the criteria of the target population, i.e. the topic of the group. The results confirmed the expected significant differences according to the general aim of the groups among some, but not all of the group types regarding: a) two factors of a group's helping characteristics, i.e. disclosure and acceptance, and learning coping strategies; and b) two factors of perceived empowerment, i.e. assertiveness and competency, and enhanced knowledge about society; and c) regarding the extent of a member's influence on the group. The findings suggest that active members are, in general, very satisfied with their groups, but the perceived benefits are not present to the same extent in all group types. The implications for further research and practice are being discussed.