'We're not a separate entity, we're staff now' The involvement of transition age youth peer supporters in trauma-informed community partnerships. (January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Siantz, Elizabeth; Center, Kimberly; Lansing, Amy E.; Sanghvi, Nisha; Gilmer, Todd P.
• Is Part Of: Children and youth services review. Volume 144(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-01
• Subjects: Transition age youth -- Trauma-informed -- Peer support -- Social network analysis -- Qualitative; Social work with children -- Periodicals; Social work with youth -- Periodicals; Adolescent -- Periodicals; Child Welfare -- Periodicals; Social Work -- Periodicals; Service social aux enfants -- Périodiques; Service social à la jeunesse -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 362.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2022.106701
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0190-7409

Abstract

Highlights: Transition Age Youth (TAY) peer supporters held a range of social network positions in their trauma-informed community-based partnership communication networks. In networks where TAY peer supporters were located both at the network's core and the network's periphery, TAY peer supporters reported positive experiences with team communication. TAY peer supporters who were located only at the network's periphery reported challenges communicating with their teams. Abstract: Background: Transition age youth (TAY) experiencing mental illness, homelessness, and trauma face challenges in navigating the transition to adulthood. Age appropriate, trauma-informed support from peer specialists (PS) can assist TAY who have experienced trauma in navigating their transition to adulthood. Whether and how TAY PS are involved in trauma-informed community-based partnerships is unclear. This study explores TAY PS experiences with and social network positions in trauma-informed 'TAY-support networks.' Methods: Social network data were collected from four TAY-support networks. Structural analyses (network size and density) and core periphery analyses were conducted to elucidate TAY PS network positions, while focus groups were conducted with TAY PS to understand their experiences delivering services. Focus group data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Data were triangulated to understand whether and how focus group results expanded on our social network analysis. Results: TAY support networks included 194 persons (range: 32–55) and 26 TAY PS. In two networks, TAY PS were located at the network's core and periphery, and reported ongoing contributions to initiative activities. In two other networks, TAY PS were located at the network periphery and reported challenges with team communication. Conclusions: To maximize TAY PS contributions to multidisciplinary partnerships, organizations should 1) include TAY PS throughout program planning and implementation and 2) provide age-appropriate professional supports to TAY PS.