Peer support in early intervention in psychosis: a qualitative research study

Abstract

Background

There is evidence that peer support can be helpful for people suffering from psychosis, but there is a lack of research describing peer support in the context of Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP).

Aims

We aim to investigate the key elements of peer support in EIP and how peer support workers might best be recruited and supported in their work.

Method

We used purposive sampling to recruit seven participants for semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.

Results

Destigmatisation of psychotic experiences is a central concept that runs through all themes. Participants perceived peer support as a meaningful source of support that could provide benefits to peers (service users) and peer support workers. Themes included a “symbol of hope,” “practical support,” “mutuality and reciprocity,” “bridge between service and peers,” “ideal requirements of peer support workers,” “delivering peer support,” and “team-working and role clarification.”

Conclusions

Peer support makes a strong contribution to destigmatising psychosis. Findings potentially contribute to developing peer support workers’ roles in EIP. Future research is recommended to investigate the perspectives of ethnic minorities on this topic and practical applications of these findings.

Keywords:

• Early intervention
• psychosis
• peer support
• thematic
• qualitative
• stigma

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest exists.

Data availability statement

Due to the confidential nature of this research, supporting data of interviews is not available.