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Potentials and pitfalls of peer support: Experiences and recommendations for peer supported physical activity programmes for mental health service users

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posted on 2025-05-09, 11:15 authored by Florence KinnafickFlorence Kinnafick, Anthony J.L., Lorna Tweed

Background

Volunteers with lived experience of mental health problems can play a valuable role in the delivery of physical activity interventions for mental health service users. However, research has under-explored individuals’ experiences of peer volunteering with mental health service users from the perspective of the peer volunteers (PVs).

Aims

This study explored PV's experiences within a community-based physical activity programme for Mental Health Service Users. A secondary aim was to utilise these findings to develop recommendations for peer-supported physical activity programmes.

Methods

Thirty-one PV's (15 male, 16 female, M age = 48 years, SD = 9.5 years) were recruited from local programme delivery sites across four regions in England (Midlands n = 10, London n = 5, North East n = 8 and North West n = 8). A hybrid approach of inductive and deductive thematic analysis, was adopted and themes generated from data.

Results

Four overarching themes representing PV's experiences of their role included: (i) Reciprocity – a two-way relationship, (ii) Commitment to Volunteering, (iii) Establishing Boundaries: necessary but challenging and (iv) Support Network for Peer Volunteers Results are discussed in the context of wider literature, and their implications for peer-supported physical activity programmes. Based on these findings, we developed a series of recommendations for the inclusion of PVs within physical activity programmes. Our recommendations highlight the incorporation of structured training that provides clear guidance on roles and responsibilities, while also addressing boundary maintenance. Additionally, we advocate for the provision of consistent and accessible support to PVs to ensure they can perform their roles effectively.

Conclusion

This study highlights the valuable contribution of PVs in the delivery of peer supported physical activity programmes. We provide insights into their experiences of the challenges, and advantages of their role. We provide practical recommendations for the inclusion of PVs in peers supported physical activity programmes.

Funding

Mind (UK based mental health charity) [grant number MIND-15-0499]

History

School

  • Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences

Published in

Mental Health and Physical Activity

Volume

28

Publisher

Elsevier Ltd

Version

  • VoR (Version of Record)

Rights holder

© The Author(s)

Publisher statement

This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Acceptance date

2024-12-21

Publication date

2024-12-27

Copyright date

2025

ISSN

1755-2966

eISSN

1878-0199

Language

  • en

Depositor

Dr Florence Kinnafick. Deposit date: 9 January 2025

Article number

100669

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