The vulnerable superhero-a qualitative study investigating how spinal cord injury peer mentors experience their role in Active Rehabilitation training programs.

STUDY DESIGN

Qualitative study.

OBJECTIVES

To explore how peer mentors with spinal cord injury (SCI) experience their role in Active Rehabilitation programs in Sweden.

SETTING

Community peer-based training programs in Sweden.

METHODS

Twenty active peer mentors were strategically selected and invited to participate. Nine individuals of diverse age, level of SCI and time since injury participated in semi-structured interviews via video link. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

The theme: Being a vulnerable superhero-a balancing act with rewards was based upon five categories: Being a suitable fit for a demanding culture, Offering a shortcut to coping with spinal cord injury life, Feeling rewarded by helping others, Building trust is reciprocal, and Constituting the norm in a temporary community. The peer mentors expressed vulnerability of sharing life experiences, being a role model and building relationships with mentees. The theme emerged from notions of high expectations and demands of the SCI peer mentor role. Being a peer mentor empowered, educated and inspired the peer mentors themselves.

CONCLUSIONS

Peer mentors were continuously balancing between being open and vulnerable, and being strong and capable. Personality traits were reported as more important aspects of the role than physical skills. The individual mentor-mentee meetings and relationships were considered more important than the actual training sessions. Feeling part of a community and the norm through meeting others in a similar situation was perceived as a reward and motivation for participating as a peer mentor.