Patients’ and volunteer coaches’ experiences with an informal social network intervention in forensic psychiatric care: a qualitative analysis

BMC Psychiatry

Research

Arne Popma¹  Janna F. ter Harmsel²  Lise T. A. Swinkels²  Thimo M. van der Pol³  Jack J. M. Dekker⁴  Mariken B. de Koning⁵ 

[1] Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychosocial Care, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands;Department of Forensic Outpatient Care, Inforsa Mental Healthcare, Vlaardingenlaan 5, 1059 GL, Amsterdam, the Netherlands;Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychosocial Care, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands;Department of Forensic Outpatient Care, Inforsa Mental Healthcare, Vlaardingenlaan 5, 1059 GL, Amsterdam, the Netherlands;Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychosocial Care, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands;Department of Research, Arkin Mental Health Institute, Klaprozenweg 111, 1033 NN, Amsterdam, the Netherlands;Department of Research, Arkin Mental Health Institute, Klaprozenweg 111, 1033 NN, Amsterdam, the Netherlands;Department of Clinical Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1105, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, the Netherlands;Department of Research, Arkin Mental Health Institute, Klaprozenweg 111, 1033 NN, Amsterdam, the Netherlands;Department of Recovery-oriented Inpatient Care, Baron G. A. Tindalstraat 27, 1019 TS, Mentrum, Amsterdam, the Netherlands;

关键词: Qualitative analysis;    Social network intervention;    Befriending;    Mentoring;    Mental healthcare;    Informal care;    Forensic psychiatric patients;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12888-023-04594-2

 received in 2022-10-06, accepted in 2023-02-06,  发布年份 2023

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

Background:Improving supportive social networks in forensic psychiatric patients is deemed important due to the protective effects of such networks on both mental health problems and criminal recidivism. Informal interventions targeted at social network enhancement by community volunteers showed positive effects in various patient and offender populations. However, these interventions have not specifically been studied in forensic psychiatric populations. Therefore, forensic psychiatric outpatients’ and volunteer coaches’ experiences with an informal social network intervention were explored in this study.Methods:This qualitative study was based on semi-structured interviews conducted alongside an RCT. Forensic outpatients allocated to the additive informal social network intervention, and volunteer coaches, were interviewed 12 months after baseline assessment. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to identify and report patterns in the data.Results:We included 22 patients and 14 coaches in the study. The analysis of interviews revealed five main themes reflecting patients’ and coaches’ experiences: (1) dealing with patient receptivity, (2) developing social bonds, (3) receiving social support, (4) achieving meaningful change, and (5) using a personalized approach. Patient receptivity, including willingness, attitudes, and timing, was a common reported barrier affecting patients’ engagement in the intervention. Both patients’ and coaches’ experiences confirmed that the intervention can be meaningful in developing new social bonds between them, in which patients received social support. Despite, experiences of meaningful and sustainable changes in patients’ social situations were not clearly demonstrated. Coaches’ experiences revealed broadened worldviews and an enhanced sense of fulfillment and purpose. Finally, a personalized, relationship-oriented rather than goal-oriented approach was feasible and preferable.Conclusion:This qualitative study showed positive experiences of both forensic psychiatric outpatients and volunteer coaches with an informal social network intervention in addition to forensic psychiatric care. Notwithstanding the limitations, the study suggests that these additive interventions provide an opportunity for forensic outpatients to experience new positive social interactions with individuals in the community, which can initiate personal development. Barriers and facilitators to engagement are discussed to improve further development and implementation of the intervention.Trial registration:This study is registered at the Netherlands Trial Register (NTR7163, registration date: 16/04/2018).

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s) 2023. corrected publication 2023