Parent-carer experiences using a peer support network: a qualitative study

BMC Public Health

Research

Vashti Berry¹  Abigail Russell¹  Gretchen Bjornstad¹  Faith Martin²  Sarah-Lou Glover³  Bushra Farooq⁴  Charlotte Kelman⁵  Rebecca Gudka⁵  Eleanor Bryant⁵ 

[1] Children and Young People’s Mental Health Research Collaboration, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK;Coventry University, Coventry, UK;Parental Minds, Honiton, UK;University of Bristol, Bristol, UK;University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK;

关键词: Holistic care;    Wellbeing;    Behaviour change intervention;    Peer support;    Parents;    Carers;    Qualitative;    Mechanisms;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12889-023-16666-9

 received in 2023-03-28, accepted in 2023-08-30,  发布年份 2023

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

IntroductionParent-carers of children and young people (CYP) with mental health problems are at greater risk of poor outcomes, such as poor physical and mental health. Peer interventions for parent-carers of CYP with disabilities may improve parent-carer outcomes. This qualitative study investigates parent-carer experiences of using Parental Minds (PM), a multi-component peer support service for parent-carers of CYP with disabilities.MethodsTwelve current service-users and four staff/volunteers at PM participated in one-to-one semi-structured interviews. All participants were white females, except for one service-user who was male. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis of results was used to explore perceived benefits and disadvantages of PM and possible behaviour change mechanisms.ResultsThree themes and eight subthemes were identified. Participants identified that internal and external factors influence their self-concept. The identification of themselves as a priority, and empowerment by reassurance and affirmation lead to improved parent-carer self-efficacy and agency to better care for their CYP. Participants described the difficulty of speaking honestly with friends and family about what they experience because it is perceived as different to what “normal” parents experience. From participant accounts, PM enables the construction of a support network and links external services to help manage family circumstances rather than offer curative treatment/intervention. Proactive and immediate advice which is constantly and consistently available was valued by participants. Participants expressed the need for a flexible range of service components which provide holistic support that encompasses both health and social care.ConclusionsPM was perceived to be beneficial as a multi-component peer support service which increases parenting self-efficacy and empowerment, reduces isolation, improves access to services, and is tailored to individual needs. Parent-carers reported benefits in parenting and wellbeing practices. The development of a refined logic model will inform a future study of the effectiveness of PM on parent-carer outcomes.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© BioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature 2023

【 图 表 】

12951_2016_225_Article_IEq3.gif

Fig. 3

12936_2023_4742_Article_IEq36.gif