Journal Facts

Journal
International Journal of Self-Help and Self-Care
ISSN
1091-2851 (print) 1541-4450 (electronic)
Volume
4
Issue
3
Date
1/1/2005

Article Facts

Title
A Consideration of Ambivalence and Advocacy in Self Help: The Case of Autism
DOI
10.2190/SH.4.3.g
Author
Irene Carter
Pages
271-285
Online Date
05/22/2009

Article Links

A Consideration of Ambivalence and Advocacy in Self Help: The Case of Autism

Irene Carter

DOI: 10.2190/SH.4.3.g

Abstract

Self-help groups contribute to social welfare by providing continuing support to their members and through proposing changes in social policy. Society also benefits from self-help groups that create community initiatives to help meet the needs of children with disabilities. In a study of 22 parental advocates involved in self-help groups for autism, it was found that participants developed ambivalence about membership when they experienced incongruence between individual and group goals. Although many members felt personally empowered as a result of membership, they expressed frustration about wanting to advocate for needed interventions and services. Disappointment resulted in ambivalence about membership and reduced participation. Participants identified the need for self-help groups to preserve a clearer group focus that would meet both therapeutic and social action needs. These findings suggest that social workers need training on how to avoid creating a situation of disempowerment while trying to promote individual and collective empowerment.

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