Abstract
Background: Self-help groups can have a large impact on individuals well-being and could reduce costs for healthcare services. Previous research supports the effectiveness of self-help groups, but explanations for this are lacking. Identifying the active ingredients which encourage positive change could inform effectiveness of these groups producing the best outcomes for members.
Aim: This research investigated how members and facilitators of a borderline personality disorder self-help group (BPD SHG)
interacted and made sense of their experiences in group meetings, to determine what aspects of interaction were helpful.
Method: Naturalistic data was collected from 10 participants via audio recording and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis.
Results: Three emergent themes are discussed: humour, praise and experiential knowledge.
Conclusion: These are suggested to be active ingredients which are critical for the effectiveness of this BPD SHG, with particular focus on the facilitator’s contribution.
Declaration of interest
This research was not financially supported.