Beard David, Cottam Charlie, Painter Jon
Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield S10 2BP, UK.
Nurs Rep. 2024 Jul 12;14(3):1661-1675. doi: 10.3390/nursrep14030124.
This paper reports on a service evaluation of PeerTalk, a nationwide charity that organises and facilitates peer support groups for individuals with depression. Therefore, the aim was to gather and synthesise benefits perceived by support group attendees. Thematic analysis was undertaken following the collection of data from two group interviews comprising PeerTalk support group attendees. Once those data were analysed, five key themes emerged: (1) talking/listening, (2) socialising, (3) contrast with other services, (4) personal benefits, and (5) structure and accessibility. Two further minor themes were also identified: (6) wider benefits and (7) areas for development that could lead to overall improvements to the service. PeerTalk's support groups provide multiple opportunities for attendees to meet others who have similar experiences within an environment that does not require formal engagement or commitment. Those that attend find benefit from supporting others and socialising within the group. These benefits are complementary to mainstream services that they may concurrently be involved with, rather than replacing or hindering them. Peer support groups can therefore provide a resource for healthcare professionals to which they can direct individuals who may feel benefit from engaging with other individuals with similar experiences. Sheffield Hallam University granted ethics approval for the study (ER:59716880) prior to its commencement (16 February 2024).
本文报告了对PeerTalk的一项服务评估，PeerTalk是一家全国性慈善机构，为抑郁症患者组织并推动同伴支持小组。因此，其目的是收集并综合支持小组参与者所感受到的益处。在从两次由PeerTalk支持小组参与者组成的小组访谈中收集数据之后，进行了主题分析。对这些数据进行分析后，出现了五个关键主题：（1）交谈/倾听，（2）社交，（3）与其他服务的对比，（4）个人益处，以及（5）结构与可及性。还确定了另外两个次要主题：（6）更广泛的益处，以及（7）可带来服务整体改善的发展领域。PeerTalk的支持小组为参与者提供了多个机会，让他们在一个不需要正式参与或承诺的环境中结识有类似经历的其他人。参与其中的人能从在小组内支持他人和社交中受益。这些益处与他们可能同时参与的主流服务相辅相成，而非取代或阻碍它们。因此，同伴支持小组可以为医疗保健专业人员提供一种资源，他们可以将可能从与有类似经历的其他人交往中受益的个人引导至该资源。谢菲尔德哈勒姆大学在研究开始前（2024年2月16日）批准了该研究的伦理许可（编号：ER:59716880）。
