School of Nursing, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Issues Ment Health Nurs. 2010 Sep;31(9):589-98. doi: 10.3109/01612841003793049.
Existing literature indicates peer support is beneficial for people with mental illnesses and plays an important role in recovery. While many studies in the mental health field have focused on formalized peer support within the community, none have explored the experience of peer support among hospitalized patients. The purpose of the current study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of naturally occurring peer support among adult mental health inpatients. In-depth interviews were conducted with ten inpatients across four mental health units, two acute and two long-term. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using a qualitative descriptive design. The data show that peer support among inpatients is extensive and beneficial, and occurs independently of staff involvement. The findings illustrate that peer support is a thoughtful process that involves observing, reflecting, taking action, and evaluating outcomes. Supportive actions include helping with activities of daily living, sharing material goods, providing information and advice, sharing a social life, and offering emotional support. This leads to various positive outcomes for providers and recipients of peer support, such as improved mental health outcomes and quality of life. Attempts to provide supportive interactions occur within a particular context, which can hinder or facilitate peer support. The new insights from this study could provide health professionals with an increased recognition of peer support and an appreciation for the unique role patients play in their own and in their peers' recovery. These findings have important implications for establishing collaborative working partnerships with mental health inpatients.
现有文献表明，同伴支持对患有精神疾病的人有益，并在康复过程中发挥着重要作用。虽然心理健康领域的许多研究都集中在社区内的正式同伴支持上，但没有研究探讨住院患者的同伴支持体验。本研究旨在探讨成年精神科住院患者中自然发生的同伴支持的看法和经验。对四个精神科病房（两个急性病房和两个长期病房）的 10 名住院患者进行了深入访谈。访谈逐字转录，并使用定性描述性设计进行分析。研究结果表明，住院患者之间的同伴支持广泛且有益，并独立于工作人员的参与。研究结果表明，同伴支持是一个深思熟虑的过程，包括观察、反思、采取行动和评估结果。支持性行动包括帮助日常生活活动、分享物质商品、提供信息和建议、分享社交生活和提供情感支持。这为提供和接受同伴支持的人带来了各种积极的结果，例如改善心理健康状况和生活质量。提供支持性互动的尝试是在特定的背景下进行的，这可能会阻碍或促进同伴支持。这项研究的新见解可以使卫生专业人员更加认识到同伴支持，并认识到患者在自己和同伴的康复中所扮演的独特角色。这些发现对与精神科住院患者建立合作工作伙伴关系具有重要意义。
