Mutual dependence and the “Goldilocks group”: exploring service user dependency on mutual aid recovery groups
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the theme of dependence on mutual aid identified in a previous paper. It is a theme which to date, has had very little empirical attention, especially in a UK context.
Design/methodology/approach
A phenomenological approach was adopted. Interviews with service users, mentors and professional staff involved with the Learning to Live Again project were undertaken over a ten-month period of data collection. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.
Findings
It was found that service users with very little access to recovery capital or social support are at risk of developing a dependency on mutual aid. Dependence seemed to manifest itself in two different forms – those that over engaged with the project and those that under engaged with the project. Consequently, there were a cohort of service users identified that seemed to strike a balance with the project and their life outside the project that was “just right”. They were referred to as the “Goldilocks group”.
Originality/value
This paper explored a theme which has had very little attention paid to it. The theme of dependence on mutual aid will raise the awareness of such a threat, thus helping to identify those in treatment most at risk of developing dependency on mutual aid, thus detrimentally impacting on mental wellbeing.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This research was carried out in part fulfilment for a PhD funded by the National Institute of Health Research and the Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care. The author would like to thank Charlie Lloyd and Professor Karen Spilsbury, Professor Karl Atkin, Professor Kate Pickett and Dr Laura Sheard.
Citation
Parkman, T.J. and Lloyd, C. (2015), "Mutual dependence and the “Goldilocks group”: exploring service user dependency on mutual aid recovery groups", Drugs and Alcohol Today, Vol. 15 No. 1, pp. 49-58. https://doi.org/10.1108/DAT-01-2015-0001
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited