CLIENTS AS CLAIMS MAKERS IN THE SELF-HELP MOVEMENT - INDIVIDUAL AND SOCIAL-CHANGE IDEOLOGIES IN FORMER MENTAL PATIENT SELF-HELP NEWSLETTERS

Researchers, clinicians, and clients make different claims regarding the theory and application of ''the self-help method'' and the social movement status of self-help. This paper adopts a sociological constructionist perspective in the analysis of client claims as presented in 50 self-help group newsletters. Although the analysis of individual change and social change ideologies regarding self-help in these newsletters shows a trend toward moderate political thinking, two-thirds of the newsletters are dominated by social rather than individual change themes. The study supports sociological theory which suggests that printed propaganda facilitates the social movement functions of agitation and organizational development. Former mental patient self-help group newsletters are in fact serving these social movement goals in their reconstruction of past accomplishments and future goals relating to self-help theory and applications. Thus, the mental patient self-help movement qualifies as a true social movement.