Acceptance of ostomy and the visitor role in a self-help group for ostomy patients

The helper therapy principle, which underscores the benefits from helping another person, has been relatively unexplored in the self-help movement. This study examined whether persons enrolled in the United Ostomy Association, a self-help group for ostomates, who functioned in a helping role as visitors demonstrated a greater level of acceptance of their ostomy than those persons enrolled in the same group who have not served in the visitor role. Results indicated that visitors' acceptance of their own ostomies was significantly higher than nonvisitors'. The length of time since visitors and nonvisitors had their first ostomy surgery was not a significant factor in the person's acceptance of ostomy. There was a significant relationship between the person's level of acceptance of ostomy and the length of time the individual had served in the visitor role. Serving in the visitor role contributed significantly to predicting a higher level of acceptance of the ostomy. The length of time since surgery was a significant predictor to serving in the visitor role. Factors of age, sex, type of ostomy, and length of time since surgery did not contribute significantly to predicting a higher level of acceptance of the ostomy.