Identifying the outcomes of participating in peer mentorship for adults living with spinal cord injury: a qualitative meta-synthesis

'We're all on the same journey; some are just a bit further down the road than others': a qualitative study exploring peer mentors' experiences in Active Rehabilitation camps for individuals with acquired brain injury

PURPOSE

This study aimed to explore how peer mentors experience their role and practice in Active Rehabilitation camps for individuals with acquired brain injury.

METHODS

Sixteen peer mentors with acquired brain injury were interviewed, and the data were analysed using Systematic text condensation. Self-determination theory was used to interpret the results.

RESULTS

Six themes were constructed: "Altruistic motives drive peer mentors" engagement", "What does it mean to be a peer mentor?", "Peer mentors question their qualifications", "Camp is tough-Nothing can compare", "Being a peer mentor-A part of one's rehabilitation process", and "Closeness and trust-A bubble of understanding". The peer mentors reported personal benefits, such as increased knowledge about brain injury, self-esteem, motivation, physical activity, community participation, and social networks. They perceived that mutual understanding among peer mentors and mentees created a safe camp atmosphere, which led to positive experiences.

CONCLUSION

The peer mentors benefitted from their role and described it as part of their rehabilitation journey. We recommend that peer mentors receive training before entering this position, feedback on their performance, and camp schedules that accommodate time for rest and informal meetings between mentees and peer mentors.

Enriching the lives of children with acquired brain injury and their caregivers: experiences from peer mentorship sports camps

Peer-based community interventions have shown promise in improving health management and fostering coping skills and psychosocial functioning among individuals with a disability. Active Rehabilitation camps are examples of peer-based community interventions that provide structured, time-limited peer mentorship in conjunction with sports and leisure activities. These camps hold potential benefits for individuals with acquired neurological injury. However, the specific impact of Active Rehabilitation camps on children or individuals with acquired brain injury remains unexplored. In this longitudinal, qualitative study, we explored children with an acquired brain injury and their caregivers' experiences with an Active Rehabilitation camp in Norway through observations and interviews with nine children and ten caregivers. Using an abductive thematic analysis, we identified an overarching theme: Active Rehabilitation peer mentorship camps enrich the lives of children with acquired brain injury and their caregivers. The theme contains three sub-themes: (1) Interacting with peers made me wiser, (2) Nudging from peer mentors made me feel better, and (3) A sense of companionship through meeting peers. Peer mentorship, sports and leisure activities, and the safe camp atmosphere benefitted children with acquired brain injury and their caregivers. The children gained knowledge, motivation, and self-worth, and their caregivers had greater impetus to prioritize their children's independence. Meeting peers and peer mentors led to friendships and sustained social connections. The Self-Determination Theory was of assistance in explaining the informants' experiences. Active Rehabilitation camps provide children with acquired brain injury and their caregivers with an opportunity to develop better coping skills, improve psychological functioning, and build more robust social networks.

Structured, time-limited peer mentorship activity programmes for individuals with acquired brain or spinal cord injuries: a mixed methods systematic review of characteristics and outcomes

PURPOSE

To determine the characteristics and outcomes of structured, time-limited peer mentorship activity programmes for individuals with acquired brain or spinal cord injury.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A mixed methods systematic review with an advanced convergent qualitative meta-integration synthesis design was adopted. Seven databases were searched, with two reviewers independently screening, selecting, and extracting data and evaluating the methodological quality of the included studies.

RESULTS

The review included ten original studies: five qualitative, four quantitative, and one mixed methods. The peer mentorship programmes were conducted in Europe, Oceania, the United States, and Africa, lasting from two days to 2.5 weeks. The programmes had diverse focuses, but all addressed mentees' independence, health, or quality of life in some way. None was based on a theoretical framework. Programme participation positively impacted cognition, emotions, independence, and social life. The safe and supportive environments the mentees and peer mentors created facilitated the outcomes. The evidence of programme participation on life satisfaction and community participation was inconclusive.

CONCLUSION

Despite their short duration, structured, time-limited peer mentorship activity programmes can strengthen community rehabilitation of individuals with acquired brain or spinal cord injury. It is recommended that peer mentorship programmes are grounded on a theoretical framework.

An exploration of the roles and experiences of SCI peer mentors using creative non-fiction

PURPOSE

Spinal cord injury (SCI) peer mentors are individuals who, through their lived experiences, offer emotional support and empathetic understanding to others living with SCI to foster positive health, independence, and well-being. This study explored SCI peer mentors' perceptions of their roles and experiences.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Six paid or volunteer peer mentors participated in semi-structured interviews. We first explored the data using thematic narrative analysis to identify patterns, themes, and narrative types. Next, we analyzed the narrative types using creative analytical practices to construct and refine the stories.

RESULTS

Based on our analysis, we developed two stories from a storyteller perspective to present a snapshot of SCI peer mentors' experiences. The first story focuses on a "discovery" narrative from the point of view of Casey who adopted a person-centered approach to mentoring, focusing their attention on the needs of the mentee. The second story focuses on Taylor's experiences with the "dark" side of peer mentorship, which focuses on the psychological toll of being a SCI peer mentor, from discussions about suicidal thoughts with clients to struggling with burnout.

CONCLUSIONS

Results provided insights for support services regarding the importance of supporting the mental health of mentors to ensure they continue delivering high quality mentorship.Implications for rehabilitationPeer mentors need to be educated on the significance of their role in the rehabilitation process and how their interpersonal behaviours can influence their mentees, both positively and negatively.Peer mentors should receive formalized and accessible training to ensure they are equipped with effective mentoring skills, but also providing them with tools to cope with physical, mental, and emotional stressors they may encounter as mentors.There is a need to continue diversifying and improving the types of services provided to SCI peer mentors in addition to one-on-one counselling, such as interactive educational workshops, for peer mentors to learn and practice coping skills, including mindfulness, meditation, and action-planning.As with other paid employees, SCI peer mentors should be trained to recognize when they are feeling depleted and be supported in seeking appropriate care from a health professional to provide quality psychosocial services to others.

Neighborhood Association, Peer Communication, and Self-Assistance Behaviors Against Disaster Among Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury

OBJECTIVE

Individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are vulnerable in case of disaster, and it is unknown how they can prepare themselves for such events. This study explored factors associated with self-assistance behaviors against disasters.

METHODS

An internet-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in Japan. The participants were 70 individuals with SCI in a self-help group in Japan. Self-assistance behaviors against disaster were defined in terms of personal network, escape, information, essential items, disaster drill participation, and list registration. After identifying significant variables through binary analyses, logistic regression analysis was conducted to adjust for age and sex.

RESULTS

Neighborhood association and peer communication significantly predicted list registration (AOR:2.97; 95% CI:1.05 - 8.40; P = 0.04; AOR:2.79, 95% CI:1.00-7.74, P = 0.05). However, no significant factor was found in relation to other self-assistance behaviors against disasters.

CONCLUSION

Belonging to a neighborhood association and having communication with peers could help individuals with SCI register on a list for assistance during disaster. To promote self-assistance behaviors against disasters, access to neighborhood associations, and opportunities for peer communication should be increased.

Outcomes of peer mentorship for people living with spinal cord injury: perspectives from members of Canadian community-based SCI organizations

STUDY DESIGN

A generic qualitative design.

OBJECTIVES

To obtain a deeper understanding of the outcomes of spinal cord injury (SCI) peer mentorship programs delivered by community-based organizations.

SETTING

Peer mentorship programs of community-based SCI organizations METHODS: We interviewed 36 individuals who shared their experiences of SCI peer mentorship from the perspective of a peer mentee, peer mentor, or family member of a peer mentee/mentor, or staff of SCI community-based organizations. Interview data were analyzed using an inductive thematic analysis approach.

RESULTS

Four overarching themes with sub-themes were identified. (1) Positive outcomes for mentees such as understanding, emotional outlet/psychological support, inspiration/hope, and belonging. (2) Positive outcomes for mentors such as gaining gratitude, confidence, pride, and personal growth. (3) Reciprocity in positive/negative outcomes for mentors and mentees, such as shared learning and a lack of connection. (4) Negative outcomes for mentors such as impact of negativity, emotional toll, and time/energy demands.

CONCLUSIONS

Peer mentorship programs delivered by community-based SCI organizations are important, impactful resources for individuals with SCI who engage in these programs. These results provide insights into the variety of positive and negative outcomes linked with these programs.

Understanding peer mentorship programs delivered by Canadian SCI community-based organizations: perspectives on mentors and organizational considerations

STUDY DESIGN

The study used a generic qualitative design.

OBJECTIVES

This article set out to garner knowledge of peer mentorship programs delivered by SCI community-based organizations by interviewing people who are directly and in-directly involved with these programs.

SETTING

Four provincial community-based SCI organizations across Canada. An integrated knowledge translation approach was applied in which researchers and SCI organization members co-constructed, co-conducted, and co-interpreted the study.

METHODS

Thirty-six individuals (N = 36, including peer mentees, mentors, family members of mentees, and organizational staff) from four provincial SCI community-based organizations were interviewed. The participants' perspectives were combined and analyzed using a thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Two overarching themes with respective subthemes were identified. Mentorship Mechanics describes the characteristics of mentors and mentees and components of the mentor-mentee relationship (e.g., establish a common ground). Under the theme Peer Mentorship Program Structures, participants described the organizational considerations for peer mentorship programs (e.g., format), and organizational responsibilities (e.g., funding; creating a peer mentorship team).

CONCLUSION

This study provides an in-depth look at the characteristics of peer mentorship programs that are delivered by community-based organizations in Canada and highlights the complexity of delivering such programs.