Evaluating the impact of participation in consumer-run organizations
Date
2007-04-27Author
Shagott, Todd P.
Vu, Chi C.
Reinhart, Crystal
Hymer, Kimberly
Collins, Vicky
Wituk, Scott A.
Meissen, Gregory J.
Metadata
Show full item recordCitation
Shagott, T.P., Vu, C.C., Reinhart, C.A, Hymer, K., Collins, V., Wituk, S.A. & Meissen, G.J. (2007). Evaluating the impact of participation in consumer-run organizations. In Proceedings : 3rd Annual Symposium : Graduate Research and Scholarly Projects. Wichita, KS : Wichita State University, p.157-158
Abstract
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.
Description
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.