Introduction

Self-help groups have emerged as a crucial strategy for empowering female heads of households in contemporary societies. Recognized by welfare and social experts as a fundamental avenue for both economic and social advancement, these groups play an essential role in supporting this vulnerable population. Accordingly, the establishment and strengthening of self-help groups is a major focus for the Social Welfare Organization, various support institutions, and professionals in the helping fields, particularly social workers. A key issue involves understanding how these groups foster motivation for group formation while providing valuable opportunities for learning and empowerment. Equally important is examining how constructive and effective group interactions can lead to the growth, flourishing, and stability of the group as a whole.

To promote social development, build capacity, and empower female heads of households, the Social Welfare Organization has shifted its focus from merely providing support to actively fostering empowerment through the formation of self-help groups. A self-help group is defined as a gathering of individuals who participate in reciprocal, mutual, and egalitarian interactions. These groups often comprise members with similar abilities or individuals whose strengths complement each other, allowing them to collectively address personal limitations and challenges (Ghobadi & Arasteh, 2017).

Launched in 2000 across all provinces of Iran, the self-help groups program was designed with the primary aim of fostering sustainable employment through collective action, while also maintaining and improving the general health and quality of life of participating women (Hosseini Esmaeilabadi, 2019). Given these goals, it is crucial for social workers to understand the factors and conditions that contribute to the success of women’s self-help groups. This study seeks to deliver a comprehensive and nuanced account of the conditions and contextual elements that enable self-help groups for female heads of households to succeed, utilizing a qualitative research approach and an in-depth analytical perspective.



Methodology

This study employs a qualitative methodology within the grounded theory framework, specifically utilizing Charmaz's constructivist approach, to explore the reasons and contextual factors driving the success of self-help groups for female heads of households in Kerman, Iran. The study population comprised members of successful self-help groups for female heads of households in Kerman City in 2024. Using purposive sampling, 20 female heads of households who were active members of these groups were selected for in-depth interviews. Interview durations varied between 45 and 90 minutes, depending on participant engagement and response depth. Data analysis followed the three-step theoretical coding process: open coding, axial coding, and selective coding.



Finding

Data analysis identified eight main categories explaining the reasons and contexts behind the success of self-help groups for female heads of households. Contextual conditions included 'adaptability, empathy, and acceptance of differences' and 'receiving comprehensive support and backing.' Causal conditions encompassed 'motivation for independence and income generation,' 'healthy and constructive interactions,' and 'motivation for achievement.' Intervening conditions consisted of 'group interest and trust,' 'purposeful commitment and participation,' and 'skill-based learning and teaching.' The study’s core category was identified as 'Flourishing collective tolerance.' Through collective tolerance and adaptability, group members advance together toward personal and professional growth. Group trust and interest establish the foundation for mutual closeness, further strengthening tolerance and respect. Achievement motivation and purposeful participation encourage collective growth and the productive use of differences, supporting overall group development. Additionally, motivation for independence and income generation enables members to preserve individual values while engaging in cooperative coexistence. Skill-based learning and teaching foster respect, understanding, and acceptance of differences, cultivating a culture of tolerance within the group. Ultimately, these findings suggest that maintaining respectful relationships, embracing differences, and prioritizing continuous learning are essential to creating a thriving, tolerant, and successful self-help group.



Conclusion

The behavior and development of women’s self-help groups, from their initial formation to their eventual success, can be examined through the lens of Tuckman’s (1965) group development model. In alignment with this theoretical framework, the findings indicate that encouragement from significant others, hope, and achievement motivation serve as key drivers for women’s membership and group formation, paralleling the forming stage in Tuckman’s model. The presence of shared moral values, intimacy, honesty, and group trust facilitate the transition from forming to the norming stage, while these strengths also ensure that the storming phase characterized by tension and conflict is brief and easily resolved. Purposeful cooperation, acceptance of challenges, and skill-based learning and teaching further exemplify the norming stage’s collaborative spirit. Ultimately, organizational support and the collective tolerance of group members create the necessary foundation for productivity and the long-term success of women’s self-help groups.

Flourishing collective tolerance a form of social tolerance grounded in the acceptance of differences propels group members toward both personal and collective growth. This tolerance, in conjunction with adaptability, empathy, and group trust, establishes a supportive environment for sharing needs and exchanging emotional, informational, and instrumental support. Such a climate reduces vulnerability and enhances women’s coping resources. The motivation for independence and income generation emerges at the intersection of economic necessity and the pursuit of a redefined social role. Democratic conflict management and mutual respect within group interactions contribute to the group’s sustainability. Additionally, mutual learning and skill sharing help regenerate social capital at the local level. The mutual interest and trust that underpin stable group relationships lower the costs of interaction and promote effective cooperation. As a result, group members not only achieve economic independence but also experience greater morale, hope, and self-confidence. From a social work perspective, these groups exemplify "social justice in action" (Dominelli, 2017), demonstrating how democratic participation and the reinforcement of individual autonomy in a collective setting can redefine women’s roles in society. Consequently, professional interventions should prioritize enhancing interactive processes and nurturing collective tolerance, rather than focusing solely on material outcomes.

It is recommended that social workers and group facilitators consider individual traits such as hopefulness, achievement motivation, purposefulness, adaptability, resilience, responsibility, cooperativeness, faith, honesty, and shared moral values when selecting members and forming self-help groups. To support the ongoing success of these groups in the empowerment process, social workers should also organize group sessions to share best practices from established self-help groups with newly formed ones.