This report includes the preliminary results of a research project in which the origin, method of working and result of self-help health groups are investigated. An assessment of self-help groups in Hamburg revealed 210 disease-related, rather rehabilitatively oriented groups and 177 with life-problem-related, rather preventively effective conclusions. In an inquiry of contact persons from 47 groups it was shown that barely two thirds see their expectations fulfilled in the group. Of those questioned, 39 considered their group standing beside the care system, 3 within the system, 5 as counterinstitutions. An exploratory study of the attitude of professional helpers showed that relief of their own work by self-help groups was certainly desirable, but also mixed with the fear of becoming superfluous.
