Consumer-run organizations (CROs) serve as drop-in and activity centers for adults diagnosed with mental illness. These nonprofit organizations, which are entirely run by consumers (people diagnosed with a severe and persistent mental illness), provide social, recreational, and psychological support. This research examines these three aspects among two groups of CRO members: 1) new members (those who have been a member of a CRO for three months or less) and 2) existing members (those who have been a member of a CRO for one year or more). The study will compare the difference between self-reported measures of sense of community, recreational activity, and psychological well-being among the two groups using the Sense of Community Scale, Social Participation Scale, and the Herth Hope Index. A discussion of the possible effects that CRO exposure has on these factors will be provided. This study will examine the hypothesis that increased CRO exposure contributes to increased social interaction, recreational activity, and psychological well-being.

Paper presented to the 3rd Annual Symposium on Graduate Research and Scholarly Projects (GRASP) held at the Hughes Metropolitan Complex, Wichita State University, April 27, 2007.Research completed at the Department of Psychology, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.