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1991; Katz 1981). An alternative strand of sociological research examines support groups as a
form of social movements. Karp recognized support groups as a “potential source of ideologies
that could contribute to a reshaping of institutional responses to personal problems” and noted
the need to explore how support groups act as consciousness raising groups and contribute to
collective mobilization (1992, 168). Wolkomir’s research on gay and ex-gay Christian support
groups explores the emotion work necessary to sustain members’ participation as a means of
understanding the ways in which social movement organizations sustain mobilization. Shrock,
Holden, and Reid’s research on transgender support groups demonstrates that both the failures
and successes of support groups create more favorable conditions for mobilization by creating
emotional resonance (2004). The groups ameliorate participants’ emotional state to a point at
which they are capable of engaging in activism but fail to offer a permanent solution to
intolerance, the root of participants’ suffering. Simultaneously producing stability and
frustration, support groups prime participants for social movement organizations’ mobilization
efforts. Similarly, Taylor’s research reveals that self-help leads participants to link personal
troubles to broader social forces (1999). In the case of the post-partum depression, support
groups spur women to link personal distress to a gendered division of labor that continues to cast
women as responsible for child rearing.
1
Eating disorder support groups are an interesting case in which mobilization may in fact
be the means by which support groups yield benefits. Psychologists increasingly turn to socio-
cultural factors to account for the high prevalence of eating disorders. The most common subject
of scrutiny is gender roles. Research suggests that women who strictly adhere to traditional
gender roles endure tremendous stress and, as a result, are more likely to have an eating disorder
(Martz, Handley and Eisler 1995). Attempting to fulfill a “superwoman” ideal, that is to fulfill
both traditional and non-traditional female roles, similarly increases one’s risk of developing an
eating disorder (Hart and Kenny 1997). On the flip side, researchers find that feminism may
shield women from eating disorders. Experiencing sexism does not increase the risk of
developing an eating disorder for women who proclaim to be actively committed to gender
equality or recognize and celebrate their unique female traits. In contrast, for women who
passively accept gender norms, exposure to sexist events does positively predict the development
1
Support groups’ progressive benefits are a source of debate. Some argue that self-help, particularly that targeted at
women, fosters a victim mentality that hinders empowerment and reaffirms negative stereotypes (Kaminer 1992;
Simonds 1992; Wolf 1993). I will return to this debate in my conclusion.
Convention