Research About GROW

We encourage our members in GROW to cooperate with the professional help they may need. Research shows that mutual help groups are an important part of recovery.

Research conducted by Dr Lisabeth Finn

Dr Lisabeth Finn at Curtin University in Western Australia found that "Grow's major advantage is that it offers a ‘real life' mini-community where people can develop new skills. The benefits are concrete in terms of developing communication, social, life management and problem solving skills. But there are also improvements in the less tangible ‘quality of life' arena which come via gradual identity transformation in terms of development of a sense of being useful, valuable and belonging."

Research conducted by Briony L. Kercheval

A thesis by Briony L. Kercheval submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Applied Psychology (Community) School of Psychology, Faculty of Arts Victoria University, Footscray, Victoria, Australia, March, 2005.

Research conducted by Jennifer Evans

In 2012, Jennifer Evans a Masters student from the Department of Psychology at University of Western Sydney investigated the experience of belonging in GROW . Jennifer’s research identified three distinct but interrelated stages in the formation of belonging including the cultivation of a sense of safety, authenticity of expression, and friendship formation.

Research shows that GROW Works!!   A list of available research is listed below.