Typology of modifications to peer support work for adults with mental health problems: systematic review

TY - JOUR

T1 - Typology of modifications to peer support work for adults with mental health problems: systematic review

AU - Charles, Ashleigh

AU - Thompson, Dean

AU - Nixdorf, Rebecca

AU - Ryan, Grace

AU - Shamba, Donat

AU - Kalha, Jasmine

AU - Moran, Galia

AU - Hiltensperger, Ramona

AU - Mahlke, Candelaria

AU - Puschner, Bernd

AU - Repper, Julie

AU - Slade, Mike

AU - Mpango, Richard

PY - 2020/6

Y1 - 2020/6

N2 - BACKGROUND: Peer support work roles are being implemented internationally, and increasingly in lower-resource settings. However, there is no framework to inform what types of modifications are needed to address local contextual and cultural aspects.AIMS: To conduct a systematic review identifying a typology of modifications to peer support work for adults with mental health problems.METHOD: We systematically reviewed the peer support literature following PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews (registered on PROSPERO (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews) on 24 July 2018: CRD42018094832). All study designs were eligible and studies were selected according to the stated eligibility criteria and analysed with standardised critical appraisal tools. A narrative synthesis was conducted to identify types of, and rationales for modifications.RESULTS: A total of 15 300 unique studies were identified, from which 39 studies were included with only one from a low-resource setting. Six types of modifications were identified: role expectations; initial training; type of contact; role extension; workplace support for peer support workers; and recruitment. Five rationales for modifications were identified: to provide best possible peer support; to best meet service user needs; to meet organisational needs, to maximise role clarity; and to address socioeconomic issues.CONCLUSIONS: Peer support work is modified in both pre-planned and unplanned ways when implemented. Considering each identified modification as a candidate change will lead to a more systematic consideration of whether and how to modify peer support in different settings. Future evaluative research of modifiable versus non-modifiable components of peer support work is needed to understand the modifications needed for implementation among different mental health systems and cultural settings.

AB - BACKGROUND: Peer support work roles are being implemented internationally, and increasingly in lower-resource settings. However, there is no framework to inform what types of modifications are needed to address local contextual and cultural aspects.AIMS: To conduct a systematic review identifying a typology of modifications to peer support work for adults with mental health problems.METHOD: We systematically reviewed the peer support literature following PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews (registered on PROSPERO (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews) on 24 July 2018: CRD42018094832). All study designs were eligible and studies were selected according to the stated eligibility criteria and analysed with standardised critical appraisal tools. A narrative synthesis was conducted to identify types of, and rationales for modifications.RESULTS: A total of 15 300 unique studies were identified, from which 39 studies were included with only one from a low-resource setting. Six types of modifications were identified: role expectations; initial training; type of contact; role extension; workplace support for peer support workers; and recruitment. Five rationales for modifications were identified: to provide best possible peer support; to best meet service user needs; to meet organisational needs, to maximise role clarity; and to address socioeconomic issues.CONCLUSIONS: Peer support work is modified in both pre-planned and unplanned ways when implemented. Considering each identified modification as a candidate change will lead to a more systematic consideration of whether and how to modify peer support in different settings. Future evaluative research of modifiable versus non-modifiable components of peer support work is needed to understand the modifications needed for implementation among different mental health systems and cultural settings.

U2 - 10.1192/bjp.2019.264

DO - 10.1192/bjp.2019.264

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

C2 - 31992375

VL - 216

SP - 301

EP - 307

JO - BRIT J PSYCHIAT

JF - BRIT J PSYCHIAT

SN - 0007-1250

IS - 6

ER -