Naturally occurring peer support on mental health wards.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Naturally occurring peer support on adult mental health wards, what is its value and how might this be maximised- An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis Study.
IRAS ID
265336
Contact name
Clare Dale
Contact email
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 31 days
Research summary
Some patients view the support of fellow patients as the most beneficial aspect of admission to a mental health ward (Nolan, Bradley, & Brimblecombe, 2011) and describe experiences of camaraderie and solidarity with other patients (Thomas, Shattell, & Martin, 2002). It is reported caring interactions experienced by patients were mainly derived from fellow patients and liken these experiences to peer administered therapy (Shattell, Andes, & Thomas, 2008). A recent study echoed these findings and described a range of interactions between patients that were highly valued. This study highlighted that naturally occurring peer support should be a recognised aspect of an inpatient stay. Accounts of staff members perspectives on naturally occurring peer support concluded that staff showed less awareness of the complexity of peer support and focused on risk (Galloway & Pistrang, 2019). Several studies have concluded that staff education and policy should focus on creating environments in which naturally occurring peer support could flourish (Galloway & Pistrang, 2019)(Bouchard et al., 2010). However, no further studies have taken this to the point of discussing what this may look like in practice.
This study will interview six inpatients and six members of staff on mental health wards, regarding peer support and the barriers to this taking place. Data will be analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, and a summary will be produced. The second interview will focus on hearing the other groups findings and explore how barriers could be overcome. This interview will also involve member checking the data.
There appears to be a gap between the academic understanding of the benefits of naturally occurring peer support and perspectives of ward staff and institutional practice. The sharing of perspectives is hoped to bring about practice based ideas for innovation.
REC name
East Midlands - Derby Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/EM/0362
Date of REC Opinion
6 Jan 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion