Some self-help groups prohibit professional involvement (e.g., Alcoholics A
nonymous), and other groups (e.g., Mended Hearts, a group for heart attack
victims) have extensive involvement with professionals. Many theorists and
researchers argue convincingly that groups which are professionally led are
fundamentally different from peer-led self-help groups (Schubert & Borkman
, 1991), and that professionals impact the behavior settings of the group (
Toro, Rieschl, Zimmerman, Rapport, Seidman, Luke, & Roberts, 1988). Despite
these discussions, there has been only a limited amount of research assess
ing the level and nature of professional involvement in self-help groups. T
he purpose of this study was to explore the roles of professionals in a ran
dom sample of self-help groups and to examine differences and similarities
in the internal and external characteristics Between: a) peer-led self-help
groups with some professional involvement; b) peer-led groups with no prof
essional involvement; and c) professional-led support groups. Results indic
ated that professional involvement in groups was common, but the extent and
nature of that involvement varied greatly. Examination of groups' internal
and external group characteristics indicated notable differences and simil
arities across differing levels of professional involvement. These findings
indicate that the dichotomous view of comparing peer-led "self-help groups
" versus professional-led "support groups" is artificial and that professio
nal involvement in mutual aid is a continuum, with most groups having a mod
erate level of professional involvement. The implications for self-help res
earchers, clearinghouses, and groups are discussed in respect to this conti
nuum, and in the light of changes created by managed care and welfare refor
m. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.