01489nas a2200217   4500000000100000008004100001653001800042653001900060653002100079653002600100653002500126653001300151653002100164653001100185100001600196245006600212300001200278490000700290520096000297022001401257       1990                            d10aSocialization10aSocial Support10aSelf-help groups10aPsychoneuroimmunology10aPsychological Theory10aLearning10aImmunocompetence10aHumans1 aStewart M J00aExpanding theoretical conceptualizations of self-help groups.  a1057-660 v313 a<p>Self-help groups, a prevalent and significant source of social support, manifest the public-participation premise of primary health care. Yet, self-help studies have typically lacked theoretical grounding. Psychoneuroimmunological and social-learning theories could contribute to the theoretical understanding of self-help groups. As self-help groups can mitigate the impact of natural social-network losses, they could help prevent health disorders via an immunocompetence-maintenance function. Health professionals could consider this possibility in assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation. Furthermore, health professionals could take steps to enhance self-efficacy and collective efficacy, derivative concepts of social-learning theory germane to self-help groups. Therefore, pertinent concepts and creative linkages are proposed in a preliminary attempt to initiate a self-help group theoretical framework for health professionals.</p>
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