Moving Beyond the Individual Level of Analysis in Mutual Help Group Research: An Ecological Paradigm

Abstract

An ecological paradigm is proposed to help move mutual help group research beyond the individual level of analysis. Central to the paradigm and the article are the assumptions that mutual help group phenomena occur within and are shaped by a complex, interrelated network of factors that spans multiple variable domains and levels of analysis and that the generation of useful research knowledge depends on asking research questions and using research methodologies that take seriously this reality. Four research areas that implicate multiple variable domains and levels of analysis are discussed: group-level variations and member well-being; member-group fit and member well-being; influence of group, member, and community characteristics on group viability and stability; and group influence on the professional and lay community. To adequately carry out research in these and other research areas, it is argued that researchers will need to routinely obtain data that span multiple variable domains and levels of analysis; examine complex interactions among variables, including cross-domain and cross-level interactions; and use combined ethnographic-quantitative research methods.