ABSTRACT
Over the past 20 years a small number of researchers have advocated for the study of change in worldview among members of mutual help groups. Yet little research of this nature has been reported. Our purpose here is threefold: to reassert the importance of attending to worldview change in the study of mutual help groups; to discuss conceptual and methodological issues in the study of worldview including the use of naturalistic and narrative approaches; and to present a framework for exploring worldview change based on empirical studies. The proposed framework consists of four specific domains of belief: self, relationships with others, universal order and problem area. Examples from naturalistic studies of two 12 step mutual help groups are used to illustrate the four domains.
