Individual Peer Support: A Qualitative Study of Mechanisms of Its Effectiveness

Abstract

Peer-delivered services for individuals with psychiatric conditions have proliferated over the past three decades. The values and principles underlying peer support have been explored, but we lack an understanding of its mechanisms of action. To shed light on the processes of peer support, we conducted a study with individuals who had received substantial individual peer support. We completed individual interviews, audiotaped, transcribed, and examined them using a thematic analysis approach. Our analyses suggest that individual peer support provided various practical, emotional, and social supports which were perceived as beneficial. Participants valued having someone to rely on, a friend, and someone to socialize with. We, however, found that individuals' expectations of peer support did not always comport with available services. Participants viewed peer support as especially valuable because of the opportunity for a non-treatment based, normalizing relationship. We conclude that peer support complements rather than supplants needed traditional mental health services.

Exploring the Self-Disclosure Process in Peer Mentoring Relationships for Transition-Age Youth With Developmental Disabilities

“…An exception is the growing recognition of the benefits of peer support for individuals with psychiatric disabilities, including increased self-advocacy and quality of life (Chinman, et al, 2014;Gidugu et al, 2014). This recognition, combined with the limited, yet positive evidence for the population as a whole, indicates that the impact of mentoring for individuals with disabilities is consistent with the larger body of work on mentoring (Ahrens et al, 2010;Bell, 2012;Britner et al, 2006;Rhodes & Lowe, 2009).…”

Patients’ views: peer support worker on inpatient wards

“…None have produced similar thematic results although Bouchard et al (2010) cited improved emotional state for informal PS and emotional support is a theme recognised in this study. While Gidugu et al (2015) also think emotional support important in community settings through a normalizing relationship with someone with similar experiences as do Repper and Watson (2012). Emotional support can be described as informing, advocacy, inspiring and empowering (Figure 1).…”

“…Practical support is a theme that is often mentioned in PS particularly in community settings (Gidugu et al 2015) and by Repper and Watson (2012) in an inpatient setting. Examples of practical support in this study are given in Figure 1, are not exhaustive and a snap-shot from the inpatients interviewed.…”

“…However, the sub-themes -sharing experiences is cited by Gidugu et al (2015); while genuine empathy is mentioned as being important in Repper and Carter (2011) and LawtonSmith (2013).…”

“…Kelly et al (2014) demonstrated through the BRIDGE intervention that peer navigators keep service users out of emergency services rather they attend GP primary care. Gidugu et al (2015) interviewed 19 community users of PS in USA and concluded that the mechanisms of action of PS were through traditional helping relationships such as practical support, role modeling, mentoring and social opportunities alongside getting emotional support through a normalizing relationship with someone with similar experiences.…”