Preferences for befriending schemes: a survey of patients with severe mental illness

Abstract

BackgroundBefriending has become a widely used method for tackling social isolation in individuals with severe mental illness (SMI), and evidence exists to support its effectiveness. However, patient preferences for befriending remain unclear. We aimed to determine whether patients with SMI want a volunteer befriender and, if so, the volunteer characteristics and character of the relationship they would prefer.MethodsA survey of outpatients was conducted across London-based community mental health teams, for individuals diagnosed with affective or psychotic disorders. Questions consisted of measures of demographic characteristics, befriending preferences and social context, including measures of time spent in activities, number of social contacts, loneliness and subjective quality of life (SQOL). Binary logistic regressions were used to investigate potential predictors of willingness to participate in befriending.ResultsThe sample comprised of 201 participants with a mean age of 43 years. The majority (58%) of the sample indicated willingness to participate in befriending. In univariable analyses this was associated with less time spent in activities in the previous week, higher level of loneliness and lower SQOL. When all three variables were tested as predictors in a multivariable analysis, only lower SQOL remained significantly associated with willingness to take part in befriending.Relative to other options presented, large proportions of participants indicated preference for weekly (44%), 1-hour (39%) meetings with a befriender, with no limits on the relationship duration (53%). Otherwise, patient preferences exhibited great variability in relation to other characteristics of befriending schemes.ConclusionsA substantial number of patients with SMI appear willing to take part in a befriending scheme. Patients with lower SQOL are more likely to accept befriending, so that befriending schemes may be a realistic option to help patients with particularly low SQOL. The large variability in preferences for different types of befriending suggests that there is no one-size-fits-all formula and that schemes may have to be flexible and accommodate different individual preferences.

Effectiveness of a volunteer befriending programme for patients with schizophrenia: randomised controlled trial

“…The considerable variability in the uptake and use of the programme may be explained by a recent survey of out-patients with psychotic and affective disorders. 30 Patients expressed a wide range of preferences for befriending in terms of frequency and content of meetings (i.e. talking or engaging in joint activities), the duration of the programme and the background of the volunteer.…”

Patient and befriender experiences of participating in a befriending programme for adults with psychosis: a qualitative study

“…Furthermore, many of the challenges that were experienced could be addressed through flexibility on the part of the befriender and the programme. It has been suggested that there is not a one-size-fits-all approach to befriending individuals with mental illness, as there is a limited consensus on a range of befriending options including the variability and longevity of the programme, as well as the type of the relationship that is developed with the befriender [10,18].…”

“…This could have caused some role ambiguity for the befriender, who may have felt pulled in different directions by the needs of the patient and the requirements of the programme, which were goal-focused in encouraging the patients to engage in more activities. Toner and colleagues [18] found that the majority of patients who were surveyed about their preferences for a befriending programme, favoured having someone to listen to and support them, rather than pushing them to do more activities. This finding might reflect some of the discomfort that befrienders felt in trying to push their match to achieve specific goals, which was sometimes met with resistance.…”

Patient and befriender experiences of participating in a befriending programme for adults with psychosis: A qualitative study.

“…Furthermore, many of the challenges that were experienced could be addressed through flexibility on the part of the befriender and the befriending programme. It has been suggested that there is not a one-size-fits all approach to befriending individuals with mental illness, as there is a limited consensus on a range of befriending options including the variability and longevity of the programme, as well as the type of the relationship that is developed with the befriender (9,17).…”

“…Toner and colleagues (17) found that the majority of patients who were surveyed about their preferences for a befriending programme, favoured having someone to listen to and support them over doing more activities, which might reflect some the discomfort that befrienders felt in trying to push their match to achieve specifics goals which were sometimes met with resistance.…”