"From the same mad planet": a grounded theory of service users' accounts of the relationship within professional peer support

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Baillie, H.A., Tickle, A. and Rennoldson, M. ORCID: 0000-0002-7131-8740, 2016. "From the same mad planet": a grounded theory of service users' accounts of the relationship within professional peer support. Mental Health Review Journal, 21 (4), pp. 282-294. ISSN 1361-9322

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1108/MHRJ-02-2016-0004

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. This was an exploratory study developing a substantive interpretive grounded theory of service-users' experience of professional PS work.

Methodology: 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 implications and limitations: 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.

Item Type:

Journal article

Alternative Title:

"From the same mad planet": service users' accounts of the relationship within professional PS [post-print title]

Publication Title:

Mental Health Review Journal

Creators:

Baillie, H.A., Tickle, A. and Rennoldson, M.

Publisher:

Emerald for Pier Professional

Date:

2016