An investigation into membership of health-related support groups / Brian Anthony Handley

2010

[Truncated abstract] The principal focus of the present study was to investigate membership of health-related support groups. No prior research has considered these issues, despite the significant contribution such groups make to the health of people with long term illnesses or the impact they have on a country's health system by freeing up hospital beds and reducing the demand for medical services. Given their role, such organisations are clearly worthy of investigation. The present study drew on research from many disciplines and began with an examination of different types of membership, looking at the origins of support group membership and, in particular, the origins of health-related support groups. Following a review of the relevant literature, a membership retention model was proposed that was based on Gruen, Summers and Acito's (2000) professional association membership model. The suggested model included Allen and Meyer's (1990) three commitment dimensions as mediators between a number of antecedent variables and three outcome variables ('retention' 'participation' and co-production, which was later changed to 'helping behaviour' as this was seen to be more relevant to the study in hand). As value was of central interest to the present study, the model included Sweeney and Soutar's (2001) PERVAL scales ('emotional value,' 'social value,' 'functional value quality' and 'functional value price') as potential explanatory variables. As the research examined interactions between members and their health-related support groups from a consumer perspective, it was felt a mixed method design was needed to explore the research context fully and to determine the dimensions that should be included in a health-related-support group member model.

Consequently, in the first stage, one-on-one interviews were held with senior managers with health-related support group responsibilities; while, in the second stage, focus groups were held with members of Diabetes WA, which was the focal organisation in respect of which data were later collected. As a result of this research phase, two additional variables ('support value' and 'empowerment') were added to the model. The qualitative phase was followed by a quantitative phase in which the suggested model was estimated to examine the various relationships of interest. The questionnaire that was used in this phase was pre-tested on a small sample of health-related support group members.... The importance of service value as an important driver of value for people with diabetes was seen in that it impacted positively on members' sense of empowerment and is the primary reason people remain with DWA or DSA. Social value was also found to influence empowerment in a positive way. Many members wanted to be of assistance to other members. Additionally, continuance commitment was found to be relevant in a health-related support group setting. Their decision to stay was influenced by what they saw as their best interests. Successful health-related support groups are likely to be those that adopt strategies that reinforce these value aspects. In doing so, they form a symbiotic relationship with the membership whereby members receive both service value and social value and, in return, they give financial assistance through membership fees that enable the support group to continue.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Western Australia, 2011

http://repository.uwa.edu.au/R/-?func=dbin-jump-full&local_base=GEN01-INS01&object_id=

http://repository.uwa.edu.au:80/R/-?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=29980&silo_library=GEN01