Paul A. Toro

A Comparison of Children With and Without Learning Disabilities on Social Problem-Solving Skill, School Behavior, and Family Background

The study compared 86 children with learning disabilities (LD) with 86 matched children without learning disabilities (NLD) on three domains of variables: social problem-solving skill, teacher-rated school behavior and competence, and family background. The children with LD and the NLD group differed on variables in all three domains. More specifically, the children with LD were able to generate fewer alternatives for solving social problem situations, showed less tolerance for frustration and less adaptive assertiveness, and had more overall classroom behavior problems and less personal and social competence in a variety of areas as rated by teachers. Children having LD also showed more family background difficulties (e.g., lack of educational stimulation at home, economic difficulties). The findings suggest the need for greater attention to social and behavioral remediation for children with LD and greater involvement of their families, in addition to the cognitive and academic remediation emphasized in existing curricula for children with LD.

Social Climate Comparison of Mutual Help and Psychotherapy Groups

Mutual help groups (n=32) were compared to three other types of groups (psychotherapy, n=35; social-recreational, n=59; and task oriented, n=39) on 10 social climate dimensions derived from the 90-item Group Environment Scale. All 10 dimensions yielded significant (p..05) differences. Differences between the mutual help and psychotherapy groups were particularly intereting and large in size. The mutual help groups had a more active leadership role and greater group cohesion, in addition to being more structured and task-oriented and fostering more independence. The psychotherapy groups were more encouraging in the expression of negative and other feelings and showed more flexibility in changing the groups functions and activities. Suggestions are made on how the studys findihgs might be used in the community and how they might be extended in future research. Social Climate Comparison 3 A Social Climate Comparison of Mutual Help and Psychotherapy Groups In the past few decades, mutual help groups have been proliferating at a rapid pace. These groups address a wide array of problems including substance abuse, chronic physical illness, mental illness, marital disruption, and child abuse. Despite the proliferation of groups, little research has been done to assess their efficacy or what happens in them. This lack of research may be due to many factors, including the unfamiliarity and sometimes outright skepticism that mental health professionals and researchers have concerning these groups. If the mutual help approach is to develop and become integrated with other services, it is ioportant that research proceed. Much of the early research on mutual help groups consisted of impressionistic descriptions of particular groups (e.g., Silverman, 1970; Weiss, 1973) and theoretical discussions about the nature of mutual help groups or their historical development (see Caplan & Killilea, 1976). Other research has surveyed group participants (e.g., Knight, Woller, Levy, Frame, & Padgett, 1980; Lieberman & Bond, 1976; Lieberman, Bond, Solow, & Reibstein, 1979) or professionals familiar with mutual help groups (e.g., Black & Drachman, 1985; Levy, 1978). Only recently have more rigorous evaluation designs and comparative approaches been applied to mutual help groups (e.g., Rappaport, et al., 1985; Toro, in press). The present study investigated the nature of mutual help groups by comparing them to three other types of groups, including psychotherapy groups, using a social climate (Moos, 1974b) approach. Such comparison could help us understand how mutual help groups are different from, or similar to, other groups which exist in the community. The social climate approach to the

Expansion strategies of a mutual help organization.

Described a study of the expansion strategies of a successful self- and mutual help organization for persons with mental illness. Resource mobilization and behavior-setting theories were used as conceptual frameworks to guide the investigation. Collaborative methods and a grounded theory approach were used. Archives, reports of contacts outside of the organization, and naturalistic observations were data sources. Of particular interest are the processes used by the organization to mobilize internal and external resources and to start new mutual help groups. Results suggest that the organization mobilizes resources from a variety of sources, displays flexibility in securing resources and defining organizational roles, and creates underpopulated settings to encourage individual involvement. The strategies appear to avoid overtaxing resource pools, reduce role ambiguity, and encourage pluralistic participation. Discussion includes several potential explanations for the successful growth of the organization.

Images of the homeless: Public views and media messages

Abstract Despite its potential policy relevance, public opinion about homelessness has received little attention from researchers. This deficiency is addressed here by bringing together data obtained in four recent surveys. The survey results indicate that many Americans accurately perceive the characteristics of homeless people, consider homelessness a serious problem with structural roots, and support a variety of measures intended to solve it. Certain segments of the public— Democrats, liberals, blacks, and residents of communities that have homeless populations—are especially likely to hold these views. The extent to which the publics thoughts on homelessness have been shaped by the media is difficult to determine. However, an analysis of the volume and content of print and broadcast news coverage of the issue hints at a plausible causal connection.

Charting uncharted terrain: A behavioral observation system for mutual help groups

Describes the development of a behavioral observation system for mutual help meetings and presents evidence supporting its reliability, validity, and utility. The MHOS-BIC (Mutual Help Observation System-Behavioral Interaction Codes) was used by 10 observers to record the sequential flow of group interaction in 527 meetings. Psychometric analyses indicate that the system performed consistently with measurement objectives. Mean kappas for each of the 12 coding categories ranged from .62 to .87; the system demonstrated sensitivity to setting and time differences; and a predictable pattern of correlations was found among BIC categories and conceptually related participant and observer ratings. Studies using the BIC to address substantive questions about mutual help are reviewed, providing further evidence for its validity and utility. An empirical description of mutual help is presented using BIC data, and the promises and limitations of the system are discussed.

Natural and professional help: A process analysis

Differences in the helping interactions formed by mental health professionals, divorce lawyers, and mutual help group leaders were examined. Fourteen members of each of these three helper groups (N = 42) met independently with a coached client presenting marital difficulties. Using ratings of ability to ameliorate the personal and emotional problems presented, the 42 helpers were divided (using a median split) into successful and less successful outcome groups. The responses of each of the pairs were coded using the Hill Counselor Verbal Response Category System. The sequence of client-helper responses were examined using log-linear analysis as they varied by type of helper and outcome. Results indicated that successful helpers (regardless of type of helper) tended to use directives (e.g., guidance and approval-reassurance) differently from less successful helpers. Successful helpers used directives following client emotional expression and not following factual description. In addition, clear differences in helper responses by helper type and outcome were found. Each helper type had unique patterns of responses that differentiated successful from less successful outcomes. Client responses were found to vary across helper type even when given the same helper preceding response. Results are discussed with respect to the unique goals of each helping relationship and the different shaping process involved in each.