The aim of this article is to review the relationships of self-help groups to health and welfare services and professionals/service representatives in a Scandinavian research context.
Eight Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish publications written by researchers within an academic research context are discussed; understanding self-help groups in a national context is stressed. The analysis was based on a conflict/consensus model proposed by the author.
Results indicate that Scandinavian researchers often view the relationship between health and welfare services and professionals/service representatives and self-help groups as more consensus-oriented than groups described in early American self-help group literature where there is a higher degree of distrust.
The high level of trust toward governmental organizations in Scandinavian countries is suggested as one explanation for this difference.
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