著者

谷本 千恵 長谷川 雅美

出版者

金沢大学つるま保健学会 = the Tsuruma Health Science Society, Kanazawa University

雑誌

金沢大学つるま保健学会誌 (ISSN:13468502)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.33, no.2, pp.1-10, 2009

---

本研究の目的は、我が国の精神障がい者のセルフヘルプ・グループの活動の実態と活動上の課題ならびに活動が発展するための条件を明らかにすることである。全国の精神障害者のセルフヘルプグループ579団体のリーダーに自己記入式質問紙を郵送し活動状況について尋ねた。有効回答である112グループのリーダーの半数が自分たちのグループは発展していないと考えていた。また活動が発展しているセルフヘルプ・グループのリーダー8名に対し半構造的インタビューを実施し、質的記述的に分析した。分析の結果、セルフヘルプ・グループが発展するための条件は、【リーダーシップ能力】、【メンバーの参加意欲】、【(グループ)運営技術】、【(専門職の)必要に応じた継続的支援】、【社会資源】の5つのカテゴリーに分類された。 精神障がい者は疾患の特徴や若年での発症、長期入院による社会経験の不足などから対人関係の持ちにくさや社会生活技能の不足などの課題を抱えており、リーダーシップ能力や積極的な参加、仲間意識、協調性などが阻害されている可能性がある。したがって、当事者のみでセルフヘルプ・グループを効果的に運営することは大変困難であり、専門職の支援が不可欠である。専門職は必要に応じた継続的な支援を行い、当事者の主体性を尊重し、人として対等の関係性の中で当事者が徐々に自信をつけ、自律していけるように見守ることが必要である。 Purpose : The aim of this paper is to identify characteristics of the current activities that self-help groups for individuals with mental illness are involved in. We also attempt to identify requirements for the successful management of self-helpgroups for individuals with mental illness. Method : Stage one of this study assessed the actual condition of self-help groups for individuals with mental illness in Japan. An anonymous questionnaire was mailed to 579 leaders of self-help groups for individuals with mental illness, and validresponses were obtained from 112 individuals. The period of investigation was from August 2006 to February 2007. We defined the groups led by individuals withmental illness as self-help groups ; other group types were defined collectively as support groups. In Stage two of the study a qualitative descriptive design wasused. Participants were 8 leaders of 5 self-help groups. Semi-structured interviews were conducted after consent was obtained. The data collection period was fromJuly to September 2007. Result and Discussion : Stage 1 : A total of 62.5% of the groups studied were self-help groups. Approximately 60% of self-help groups were associated with health care professionals. The main purpose of the groups was friendship and their main activities were recreation and outings. A few of the groups engaged in social action for advocacy. More than half of self-help group leaders reported thinking that their groups were not successful because of a shortage of new members. Group leaders thought that the requirements for successful self-help groups included such elements as professional and administrative support, positive attitudes and mutual support among members, adequate funding, space for meetings, support for the leader, and effective group management. Stage 2 : Five categories emerged from data analysis : long-term support for needs, leadership ability, positive attendance, group management skill, social support. Characteristic problems of individuals with mental illness include poor interpersonal relationships, difficulties in coping with routine living, lack of consciousness of their disease, and poor adaptability to environmental change. Such characteristics can inhibit leaders from exhibiting leadership behaviors or prevent individuals from participating in group activities through active collaboration with others. It seems that creating successful self-help groups is difficult for members because of the characteristics of disease and disability. Therefore, professional support is indispensable. Conclusion : The present research suggests that continuing equal relationships as individuals and long term support for needs are very important when professionals support a self-help group. In addition, opportunities to promote autonomy in deference to the independence of the individuals concerned and knowledge as well as indirect technical support were important.