"From the same mad planet": a grounded theory of service users' accounts of the relationship within professional peer support. Issue 4 (12th December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bailie, H. Alistair; Tickle, Anna; Rennoldson, Michael
• Is Part Of: Mental health review. Volume 21:Issue 4(2016)
• Page Start: 282
• Page End: 294
• Publication Date: 2016-12-12
• Subjects: Qualitative -- Grounded theory -- Service users -- Professional peer support; Mental health services -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Mental health -- Periodicals; Mental Health Services -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 362.20941
• DOI: 10.1108/MHRJ-02-2016-0004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1361-9322

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: Peer support (PS) workers are being employed despite uncertain evidence for clinical and cost-effectiveness. Psychological theories have been proposed to explain the mechanisms of PS but these lack empirical validation and specificity to professional PS. The purpose of this paper is to develop a substantive interpretive grounded theory of service-users' experience of professional PS work. Design/methodology/approach: Constructivist grounded theory was used throughout. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten service-users who had engaged with a professional PS worker. Findings: Three overarching themes were constructed. "The process of disclosure" describes how disclosure of mental health difficulties, experiences as a service-user and wider disclosure about life experiences, interests and values facilitate the development of a shared identity with the PS worker. "The product of disclosure" highlights the sense of being understood as a result of the disclosure and marks a deepening of the relationship. "Dual roles" describes the tenuous position of holding both a professional relationship and friendship. Research limitations/implications: Future research should seek to refine the theory developed and compare the effects of therapist self-disclosure with that found within PS. There were limitations within the study, including limited diversity within the sample as well as difficulties with recruitment. Originality/value: This study connects service-users' accounts of receiving PS with existing psychological theory to move towards an understanding of the relationship between receivers and providers of professional PS.