The Importance of Positive Social Support During Reentry From Prison: Examining the Role of Volunteer Mentoring

Kjellstrand, Jean; Matulis, Jordan M.; Jackson, Arriell; Smith, J. R.; Eddy, J. Mark

doi:10.1177/0306624x211059316

Cited by 10 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…In addition, we found that four commonly de ned types of social support -informational, emotional, instrumental and companionship support -were recognized by patients and coaches during the informal social network intervention [37]. These types have been identi ed and distinguished in previous work on volunteer mentoring and social support in offender populations [38,39]. In previous literature, researchers developed a model demonstrating how an intervention that leads to positive social support and commitment, resulting in positive cognitions, could in uence the impact of risk factors (i.e.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

Patients’ and volunteer coaches’ experiences with an informal social network intervention in forensic psychiatric care: a qualitative analysis

Swinkels¹,

Koning

Pol³

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Background Improving supportive social networks in forensic psychiatric patients is deemed important due to the protective effects of such networks on both mental health problems and criminal recidivism. Informal interventions targeted at social network enhancement by volunteers in the community showed positive effects in various patient and offender populations. However, these interventions have not specifically been studied in forensic psychiatric populations. Therefore, forensic psychiatric outpatients’ and volunteer coaches’ experiences with an informal social network intervention were explored in this study. Methods This qualitative study was based on semi-structured interviews that were conducted alongside an RCT. Forensic outpatients randomized to the additive informal social network intervention arm of the RCT, and volunteer coaches, were interviewed 12 months after baseline assessment. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to identify and report patterns in the data. Results We included 22 patients and 14 coaches in the study. The analysis of interviews revealed five main themes reflecting patients’ and coaches’ experiences: 1) dealing with patient receptivity, 2) developing social bonds, 3) receiving social support, 4) achieving meaningful change, and 5) using a personalized approach. Patient receptivity, including willingness, attitudes, and timing, was a common reported barrier affecting patients’ engagement in the intervention. Both patients’ and coaches’ experiences confirmed that the intervention can be meaningful in developing new social bonds between them, in which patients received social support. Despite, experiences of meaningful and sustainable changes in patients’ social situations were not clearly demonstrated. Coaches’ experiences revealed broadened worldviews and an enhanced sense of fulfillment and purpose. Finally, a personalized, relationship-oriented rather than goal-oriented approach was feasible and preferable. Conclusions This qualitative study showed positive experiences of both forensic psychiatric outpatients and volunteer coaches with an informal social network intervention in addition to forensic psychiatric care. Notwithstanding the limitations, the study suggests that additive informal social network interventions provide an opportunity for forensic outpatients to experience new positive social interactions with individuals in the community, which can initiate personal development. Barriers and facilitators to engagement are discussed to improve further development and implementation of the intervention. Trial registration: This study is registered at the Netherlands Trial Register (NTR7163, date of registration: 16/04/2018).

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

Patients’ and volunteer coaches’ experiences with an informal social network intervention in forensic psychiatric care: a qualitative analysis

Swinkels¹,

Koning

Pol³

et al. 2022

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…. These types have been identified and distinguished in previous work on volunteer mentoring and social support in offender populations(Kjellstrand, Clark, Caffery, Smith, & Eddy, 2022;Kjellstrand, Matulis, Jackson, Smith, & Eddy, 2021). In previous literature, researchers developed a model demonstrating how an intervention that leads to positive social support and commitment, resulting in positive cognitions, could influence the impact of risk factors (i.e., negative influences by peers, lack of social support) on criminal recidivism as well as substance use(Pettus-Davis et al, 2011).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Swinkels

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Forensic psychiatric patients often have complex care needs for which effective multimodal treatment is required. At the same time, evidence-based interventions are scarce and can be improved. A supportive social network has been extensively related to increased mental health and wellbeing and reduced criminal recidivism in general and psychiatric populations. Therefore, the central aim of this dissertation was to examine whether an additive informal social network intervention could improve treatment outcomes among forensic psychiatric outpatients. The findings revealed that social network interventions could be effective in improving supportive social networks and treatment outcomes in psychiatric patients. For forensic psychiatric outpatients, social network interventions in which community volunteers engage in supportive relationship and social activities with outpatients, are feasible and promising in reducing hospitalization duration and criminal behavior. Altogether, the findings in this dissertation indicate that a collaboration paradigm between forensic psychiatric care and informal care could further improve treatment outcomes in patients with complex problems and care needs. However, since patient engagement was challenging, barriers and facilitators should be considered to optimize the implementation of social network interventions for individual patients in forensic psychiatric care. We hope that this research will encourage clinicians to incorporate informal social network interventions into treatment programs and guide policy makers. Furthermore, we emphasize that future research is needed to determine which patients benefit from which types of social network interventions to better understand and optimize the effectiveness of these interventions in forensic psychiatric care.

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Social Support During Incarceration: Predictors of External Social Support for Incarcerated Individuals

et al. 2022

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The Importance of Positive Social Support During Reentry From Prison: Examining the Role of Volunteer Mentoring

Cited by 10 publications

References 30 publications

Patients’ and volunteer coaches’ experiences with an informal social network intervention in forensic psychiatric care: a qualitative analysis

Patients’ and volunteer coaches’ experiences with an informal social network intervention in forensic psychiatric care: a qualitative analysis

Stitching the social fabric of society

Social Support During Incarceration: Predictors of External Social Support for Incarcerated Individuals

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