Centre for Disability Research and Policy, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Department of Rehabilitation, Ingelwood, CA, United States.
Disabil Health J. 2023 Oct;16(4):101505. doi: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2023.101505. Epub 2023 Jul 7.
Peer support is widely recognized as an important aspect of health promotion for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Reports indicate positive effects for the recipients of either informal and formal peer support. The experience can also be meaningful to the person(s) providing support, although the value to providers is not well studied.
This study examines the experience of provision of and receipt of informal peer support for individuals with SCI through semi-structured interviews.
Data were analysed using a qualitative phenomenological approach. 16 participants with SCI participated in the study.
Three main themes were developed, each describing different benefits of peer support from the perspective of both members of the peer support dyad. First, participants found personal satisfaction from using their own experiences to help others adjust to their disability. Participants also noted that they learned how to complete activities of daily living as well as how to be autonomous in travel from others with SCI. Finally, participants spoke of the intrinsic benefit in teaching others with SCI.
This study provides a novel understanding of the importance of informal peer support for individuals with SCI. Practitioners should provide opportunities for individuals with SCI to develop informal peer relationships with others who have sustained SCI.
同伴支持被广泛认为是脊髓损伤（SCI）患者健康促进的一个重要方面。报告表明，非正式和正式的同伴支持对接受者都有积极的影响。这种经历对提供支持的人来说也可能是有意义的，尽管提供者的价值尚未得到充分研究。
本研究通过半结构化访谈，探讨 SCI 患者提供和接受非正式同伴支持的体验。
使用定性现象学方法对数据进行分析。16 名 SCI 参与者参与了这项研究。
从同伴支持对子的双方的角度出发，确定了三个主要主题，每个主题都描述了不同的同伴支持的益处。首先，参与者从利用自己的经验帮助他人适应残疾中获得了个人满足感。参与者还指出，他们从其他 SCI 患者那里了解到如何完成日常生活活动以及如何在旅行中实现自主。最后，参与者谈到了向其他 SCI 患者传授知识的内在益处。
本研究提供了对 SCI 患者非正式同伴支持重要性的新认识。从业者应为 SCI 患者提供机会，与其他经历过 SCI 的人建立非正式的同伴关系。
