“It kind of fosters a culture of interdependence”: A participatory appraisal study exploring participants' experiences of the democratic processes of a peer‐led organisation

Abstract

Peer-led mental health organisations operate through participatory democracy, enabling participants to take an active role in decision making about the running of these organisations. U.K. national policy recommends increased involvement of people accessing statutory mental health services in service development, for example, through coproduction. This study employed a participatory research method to explore participants' perspectives of the democratic processes of a U.K.-based peer-led mental health organisation, The Bridge Collective, and the influence of these processes on participant wellbeing. A range of data collection methods were used to gather the perspectives of 16 participants. Participatory thematic analysis identified how the organisations' democratic processes both nurtured and challenged participants' wellbeing. Three main themes captured the influences of the democratic processes on participant wellbeing: (a) negotiating relationships, (b) feeling the responsibility of involvement, and (c) sharing power.The findings identify the value of democratic processes in enabling meaningful social support and empowerment, and also identify the challenges of inclusion and workload management in participatory democracy. These insights may inform the development of co-production methods and ---

Scoping review of health outcomes for people with disabilities in user-led organisations

“…The literature examined on ULOs for mood disorders, schizophrenia or psychosis suggested that major strengths were in supporting organisation members emotionally, in practical activities and empowerment to live more meaningful lives. This emphasis is apparent in the characteristics of the ULOs' structure, which suggest that ULOs can: (1) be safe and nonjudgemental environments (Ochocka et al 2006;Hutchison et al 2007;Taylor et al 2010;Behler et al 2017); (2) provide support from peers and staff (Ochocka et al 2006;Hutchison et al 2007;Munn-Giddings et al 2009;Taylor et al 2010;Behler et al 2017;Budge et al 2019); (3) help with integration into the community and provide a social outlet (Ochocka et al 2006;Taylor et al 2010;Lewis et al 2012); and (4) allow members to participate on an equal footing with other members, have a say in how the organisation is run and empower and provide role models for members (Powers et al 2002;Ochocka et al 2006;Hutchison et al 2007;Taylor et al 2010;Behler et al 2017;Budge et al 2019).…”

“…Behler et al (2017) also undertook a grounded theory examination of four ULOs, with 20 in-depth interviews of 2), which overlapped with those of Brown (2009aBrown ( , 2009b, particularly Concepts 1-3a of Brown (2009aBrown ( , 2009b and Themes 1-6 Behler et al (2017), which emphasise the shared experience in the ULO. Budge et al (2019) looked at ULOs from the perspective of participatory democracy. The study of one ULO was based on a form of participatory action research called participatory appraisal.…”

“…The study of one ULO was based on a form of participatory action research called participatory appraisal. Although narrower in focus than the studies of Brown (2009aBrown ( , 2009b and Budge et al (2019), there are some overlaps (Table 2), especially with regard to the topic of shared experience, with Budge et al (2019) stating: ysurvivors involved in participatory democratic processes can experience meaningful social support, a sense of empowerment, and both choice and control in the ways in which they participate.…”

The Effect of Place Attachment on Overseas Students’ Tourism Ambassador Behavior: A Mediation Role of Life Satisfactionrdrd

“…They would go out for dinners with friends every week and join local festivals with the local residents together during the holidays. In general, active and in-depth social participation can enhance individual and collective control, self-efficacy, and clearer life goals, thereby affecting citizens’ life satisfaction ( Budge et al, 2019 ). For residents, their quality of life can be measured by their desirable level and enjoyable level of the place to live ( Aleshinloye et al, 2021 ).…”

Social recognition matters: Consequences for school participation and life satisfaction among immigrant students

“…The present research is concerned with life satisfaction as the cognitive component of well‐being and how it is related to adolescents' school participation. In general, an active and deep engagement was found to enhance a personal and collective sense of control, self‐efficacy, more explicit purpose in life, and, as a consequence of these, a state of well‐being among citizens (Budge, Mitchell, Rampling, Down, & Collective, 2019). Within the school context, research has demonstrated that participation in school activities is related to well‐being and mental health of pupils (De Róiste et al, 2012).…”