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.

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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;