Understanding How Participation in a Consumer-RunOrganization Relates to Recovery

摘要

The goal of this study was to examine howdifferent types of participation in a consumer-run organi-zation (CRO) are related to recovery. More specifically,this study uses structural equation modeling to examine therelative impact of empowering and socially supportiveparticipation experiences on progress towards recoveryamong 250 CRO members from 20 CROs. An empoweringparticipation experience refers to involvement in leadershiproles and contribution to organizational functioning. Asocially supportive participation experience refers to socialinvolvement in mutually supportive friendships with inti-macy and sharing. Results indicate that both types ofparticipation are associated with recovery, although asocially supportive participation experience maintains astronger relationship with recovery than an empoweringparticipation experience. Findings are consistent with theidea that CROs should encourage both types of participa-tion. Drawing from over ten years of experience supportingCROs, the discussion section explores several strategies CROs can use to foster empowering and socially support-ive participation experiences.