Abstract
Non-profit organizations (NPO) for mental health are becoming significant actors. Here, their roles in welfare society as
understood in research are identified and analyzed. Results from recent research publications on the mental health field are
synthesized and categorized in order to find out their origin, theoretical orientation, and view on mental health NPO’s in
relation to the public welfare systems. Relevant publications are primarily from the US, empirically oriented, and addressing
surveys on both individual and organizational level. NPOs were most often seen as consensus-oriented service organizations,
while very few (4%) were seen as conflict-oriented advocates (i.e., anti-professional). It is concluded that these NPOs are
most often studied as complements or alternatives to existing public welfare services rather than on their own terms, and
that research on the topic lacks more complex theoretical attempts.
understood in research are identified and analyzed. Results from recent research publications on the mental health field are
synthesized and categorized in order to find out their origin, theoretical orientation, and view on mental health NPO’s in
relation to the public welfare systems. Relevant publications are primarily from the US, empirically oriented, and addressing
surveys on both individual and organizational level. NPOs were most often seen as consensus-oriented service organizations,
while very few (4%) were seen as conflict-oriented advocates (i.e., anti-professional). It is concluded that these NPOs are
most often studied as complements or alternatives to existing public welfare services rather than on their own terms, and
that research on the topic lacks more complex theoretical attempts.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-15
- DOI 10.1007/s11266-011-9196-2
- Authors
- Magnus Karlsson, Institute of Civil Society Studies, Ersta Sköndal University College, PO Box 111 89, 100 61 Stockholm, Sweden
- Urban Markström, Department of Social Work, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
- Journal Voluntas: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations
- Online ISSN 1573-7888
- Print ISSN 0957-8765