Potentials and pitfalls of peer support: Experiences and recommendations for peer supported physical activity programmes for mental health service users

IF 2.3 3区医学 Q2 PSYCHIATRY

Mental Health and Physical Activity Pub Date : 2024-12-27 DOI:10.1016/j.mhpa.2024.100669

Kinnafick F.E. , Anthony J.L. , Tweed L.

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Volunteers with lived experience of mental health problems can play a valuable role in the delivery of physical activity interventions for mental health service users. However, research has under-explored individuals’ experiences of peer volunteering with mental health service users from the perspective of the peer volunteers (PVs).

Aims

This study explored PV's experiences within a community-based physical activity programme for Mental Health Service Users. A secondary aim was to utilise these findings to develop recommendations for peer-supported physical activity programmes.

Methods

Thirty-one PV's (15 male, 16 female, M age = 48 years, SD = 9.5 years) were recruited from local programme delivery sites across four regions in England (Midlands n = 10, London n = 5, North East n = 8 and North West n = 8). A hybrid approach of inductive and deductive thematic analysis, was adopted and themes generated from data.

Results

Four overarching themes representing PV's experiences of their role included: (i) Reciprocity – a two-way relationship, (ii) Commitment to Volunteering, (iii) Establishing Boundaries: necessary but challenging and (iv) Support Network for Peer Volunteers Results are discussed in the context of wider literature, and their implications for peer-supported physical activity programmes. Based on these findings, we developed a series of recommendations for the inclusion of PVs within physical activity programmes. Our recommendations highlight the incorporation of structured training that provides clear guidance on roles and responsibilities, while also addressing boundary maintenance. Additionally, we advocate for the provision of consistent and accessible support to PVs to ensure they can perform their roles effectively.

Conclusion

This study highlights the valuable contribution of PVs in the delivery of peer supported physical activity programmes. We provide insights into their experiences of the challenges, and advantages of their role. We provide practical recommendations for the inclusion of PVs in peers supported physical activity programmes.

查看原文本刊更多论文

同伴支持的潜力和缺陷：针对心理健康服务使用者的同伴支持身体活动规划的经验和建议

具有精神卫生问题生活经验的志愿者可以在为精神卫生服务使用者提供身体活动干预方面发挥宝贵作用。然而，研究尚未从同伴志愿者的角度探讨个体与心理健康服务使用者的同伴志愿服务体验。目的：本研究探讨心理健康服务使用者在社区体育活动计划中的经验。第二个目的是利用这些发现为同伴支持的体育活动规划提出建议。方法从英格兰四个地区（中部地区n = 10，伦敦n = 5，东北地区n = 8，西北地区n = 8）的当地项目实施地点招募31名PV（男性15名，女性16名，年龄48岁，SD = 9.5岁）。采用归纳和演绎主题分析的混合方法，并从数据中生成主题。结果代表PV角色经验的四个总体主题包括：(i)互惠-双向关系，（ii）对志愿服务的承诺，（iii）建立边界：必要但具有挑战性和（iv）同伴志愿者的支持网络结果在更广泛的文献背景下讨论，以及它们对同伴支持的体育活动计划的影响。基于这些发现，我们提出了一系列将pv纳入体育活动计划的建议。我们的建议强调结合结构化的培训，为角色和责任提供明确的指导，同时也解决边界维护问题。此外，我们提倡为pv提供一致和可访问的支持，以确保他们能够有效地发挥作用。结论：本研究强调了pv在同伴支持体育活动项目中的重要贡献。我们提供了他们的挑战经验，以及他们的角色优势的见解。我们为将pv纳入同伴支持的体育活动计划提供了实用建议。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Mental Health and Physical Activity PSYCHIATRY-

CiteScore

6.70

自引率

6.40%

发文量

审稿时长

32 days

期刊介绍： The aims of Mental Health and Physical Activity will be: (1) to foster the inter-disciplinary development and understanding of the mental health and physical activity field; (2) to develop research designs and methods to advance our understanding; (3) to promote the publication of high quality research on the effects of physical activity (interventions and a single session) on a wide range of dimensions of mental health and psychological well-being (eg, depression, anxiety and stress responses, mood, cognitive functioning and neurological disorders, such as dementia, self-esteem and related constructs, psychological aspects of quality of life among people with physical and mental illness, sleep, addictive disorders, eating disorders), from both efficacy and effectiveness trials;