Impact of Social Networks on Help-seeking Behavior.

In a classic article in which she disproblems with child abuse.1 Although cussed the initial social work enrespondents in the study were asked counter, Perlman observed specifically about their experiences with PA, many indicated that they had that the applicant may not have any had similar feelings and reactions when real understanding of what he is apthey dealt with professional coun plying/or or to, that his expectations selors. More than half the respondents may be quite at odds with the reality ^ recejved fessiona, counseling, a he encounters;... on the other side, . . uji.ji.-r the caseworker may be assuming that few others Lhad had ^ nef e*Pe" what he asks, does, and proposes riences with counselors, and still others make complete sense to the applicant sa'd they were planning to seek profes because they are so manifestly sensisional counseling in the future. Thus, ble to him. [Perlman's italics]' this study may be relevant to the expe rience of applying for professional Perlman's remarks anticipated a body counseling as well as for joining PA. of useful research on factors within the The author conducted tape-recorded worker-client system and their impact interviews that were later transcribed, on help-seeking behavior. Such studies This procedure was advantageous be have focused on the characteristics of a cause the significance of the respon helpful person, the processes of dents' statements could be understood interpersonal attraction, the anxiety more fully when tone and rate of speech aroused by asking for help, the expecwere considered along with the words tations of clients and workers, the imin the typescript, portance of contracts, and the value of Thirty volunteer respondents who role preparation for prospective were members of PA for six to eighteen clients.2 It is strange, however, that the months were recruited from seven influence of factors outside the midwestern PA chapters. Virtually all worker-client relationship has not reeligible members agreed to become re ceived similar attention. The client's spondents and the average length of social network, that is, the client's their membership in PA was fifteen system of primary relationships, is the months. Twenty-seven respondents source of a number of these other facwere women and three were men; tors. The nature and extent of the netwith one exception, all were white, work's influence may be gauged by Twenty-three were married; seven had asking how others were involved in the been married more than once. The av prospective client's search for help, erage number of children per respon Who was told or not told, when were dent was 2.3. Respondents had com they told, and what were they told? pleted an average of just over twelve What was their response to the client's years of school, and about two-thirds of disclosure that he or she was considerthem were members of households ing or had already sought help? supported by hourly wages. The author pursued answers to these All the respondents were in PA be questions as part of a study about why cause of problems in their relationships people join Parents Anonymous (PA), a with their children. However, even in self-help group for parents who have situations in which excessive hitting and slapping occurred, as it sometimes