David Baxter PhD
Late Founder
Peer support groups reduce emotional, social isolation in schizophrenia
By Andrew Czyzewski
25 June 2008
Acta Psychiatr Scand 2008: 118: 64-72
Schizophrenia patients who participate in a specially tailored peer support group show improvements in their social network and esteem support, and may even report fewer, less distressing negative symptoms compared with non-participating peers, a study has shown.
"The finding that peer support groups lead to more mutual relationships is essential, as most people with psychotic disorders have small social networks with few opportunities to share their experiences with other people," S Castelain (University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands) and colleagues comment in the journal Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica.
The benefit of peer support groups for chronic diseases like diabetes, cancer, and asthma is well accepted. However, evidence for the effectiveness of such groups for psychiatric patients is varied.
Castelein and colleagues explain that in the 1990s, the University Center for Psychiatry in Groningen initiated peer support groups for people with psychosis led by a nurse, together with a patient who would take over the guidance as soon as the group process had taken effect.
However, the researchers note: "In the absence of initial guidance by a professional, the groups tended to peter out, even though the participants themselves highlighted their importance."
Castelein and colleagues adapted the previous format so that nurses guided sessions with minimal involvement, providing "structure, continuity, and a sense of security without actively interfering with the group process."
Fifty-six patients with chronic schizophrenia received usual care and also participated in 16 group sessions over 8 months, while 50 of their peers received usual care only.
After completion of the group sessions, 56% of participants reported significant improvements in contact with peers outside of the sessions. This compared with 31% of patients who reported such improvements in social network after usual care alone.
There was also evidence that participants showed modest improvements in esteem support (i.e. being asked for advice, receiving a compliment, or being asked for help) self-efficacy, and quality of life, and reported fewer negative symptoms and less distress from these symptoms compared with their peers who received usual care only.
Castelein and colleagues comment: "Peers can therefore play an important role in... preventing both social and emotional isolation of other members in this group as they report feeling more appreciated."
Abstract
By Andrew Czyzewski
25 June 2008
Acta Psychiatr Scand 2008: 118: 64-72
Schizophrenia patients who participate in a specially tailored peer support group show improvements in their social network and esteem support, and may even report fewer, less distressing negative symptoms compared with non-participating peers, a study has shown.
"The finding that peer support groups lead to more mutual relationships is essential, as most people with psychotic disorders have small social networks with few opportunities to share their experiences with other people," S Castelain (University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands) and colleagues comment in the journal Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica.
The benefit of peer support groups for chronic diseases like diabetes, cancer, and asthma is well accepted. However, evidence for the effectiveness of such groups for psychiatric patients is varied.
Castelein and colleagues explain that in the 1990s, the University Center for Psychiatry in Groningen initiated peer support groups for people with psychosis led by a nurse, together with a patient who would take over the guidance as soon as the group process had taken effect.
However, the researchers note: "In the absence of initial guidance by a professional, the groups tended to peter out, even though the participants themselves highlighted their importance."
Castelein and colleagues adapted the previous format so that nurses guided sessions with minimal involvement, providing "structure, continuity, and a sense of security without actively interfering with the group process."
Fifty-six patients with chronic schizophrenia received usual care and also participated in 16 group sessions over 8 months, while 50 of their peers received usual care only.
After completion of the group sessions, 56% of participants reported significant improvements in contact with peers outside of the sessions. This compared with 31% of patients who reported such improvements in social network after usual care alone.
There was also evidence that participants showed modest improvements in esteem support (i.e. being asked for advice, receiving a compliment, or being asked for help) self-efficacy, and quality of life, and reported fewer negative symptoms and less distress from these symptoms compared with their peers who received usual care only.
Castelein and colleagues comment: "Peers can therefore play an important role in... preventing both social and emotional isolation of other members in this group as they report feeling more appreciated."
Abstract
