Experiences of peer support workers supporting individuals with substance use disorders in Egypt: phenomenological analysis

Abstract

Background Peer support work for substance use disorders is widely implemented in high-income countries. More research is still needed to understand its applicability in settings which have proportionately low budgets allocated to mental health. Peer Support Workers are individuals who managed to achieve recovery from substance use disorders and help people remain engaged in their recovery and prevent relapse through shared understanding. Aim To investigate the experience of peer support workers providing recovery support to people with substance use disorders in Egypt. Methods A qualitative phenomenological design was used in which 17 adults working as peer support workers for substance use disorders were recruited by means of purposive and snowball sampling. A semi-structured interview with participants was conducted by phone or video-call. Interviews were transcribed and thematically analysed based on descriptive phenomenology. Results Three superordinate themes were identified: role responsibility, Peer Support Workers’ need for organizational and stakeholders’ support, and challenges to the role integrity. Conclusion and recommendations The findings indicate the need for national and governmental support to peer support workers engaged with people with substance use disorders in Egypt and educating families and the public about the role of peer support workers in substance use disorders.

A balancing act: integrating the expertise of youth peer workers in child and adolescent mental health services

“…To our knowledge this discrepancy is less obvious in the existing literature. Most studies seem to underline peer work is based on principles of mutuality between people who share similar mental health conditions and life experiences, allowing for empowerment, role modeling and an experiential learning journey [19][20][21]. Therefore, our results add to the current body of literature by highlighting that shared experiences between youth and YPSWs aren't always a prerequisite.…”

“…The tension between having recent lived experience, while at the same time needing to have reached stability in recovery to empower youth, is also described as a dilemma in previous qualitative studies [18,24]. These studies underline the pressure of YPSWs to be recovery 'role models' and 'helpers', while also needing to put forward their youthfulness and lived experiences [18][19][20][21][22][23][24]. The youthfulness and recency in lived experience are core components of the YPSW role, allowing YPSWs to add value beyond medical oriented practice models.…”

“…We approached youth aged 12-24 with experience of receiving care in CAMHS during adolescence (12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21). We took a convenience sampling approach, the recruitment took place by asking YPSWs and youth we knew to spread the recruitment information via WhatsApp in suitable mental health related WhatsApp groups.…”

Recovery-supportive interventions for people with substance use disorders: a scoping review

“…Yet, the presence of peer support workers in and of itself does not guarantee that a service operates within the recovery paradigm. Rather, the organization should be committed to respecting, supporting, promoting partnership with and delineating the role of peers ( 46 ).…”

Impact of basic psychological support on stigma and mental well-being of people with disabilities due to leprosy and lymphatic filariasis: a proof-of-concept study

“…A study similar to ours among substance users in Egypt found it difficult to recruit female PSs and highlighted the need for proper training of the PSs and self-care. 27 Another study on support of homeless people found that peers’ persistence in developing unique experience-based relationships, providing social support, role modelling recovery and peers’ motivations were perceived to be important factors involved in peer support. 28 They described how peers benefited from helping, such as undergoing transformative identity developments that helped them to escape homelessness.…”