Characteristics |
Information regarding the stage of the disease, the contractual relationship and the role of individuals in organisations is structured as follows: |
Davidson et al.2 (2006) |
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– Peer supporters must suffer from the same pathology as the target population, but they must be at an advanced stage of the recovery process |
Grant et al.14 (2012) |
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– In the case of mutual help or self-help groups, peer providers work on a volunteer basis, without any compensation – In the remaining types of peer support, peer supporters employees, earning a monetary remuneration |
Repper and Watson21 (2012) |
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– There are also some organisations where volunteer work and employment of people with experience of mental illness coexist |
Solomon22 (2004) |
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– The service rendering scheme is generally organised in part-time shifts |
Walker and Bryant31 (2013) |
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– The role of peer supporters is to promote group activities, provide support in daily life activities, at work and in the community with their peers. They also assist their peers in making informed decisions and developing new strategies for dealing with symptoms |
Brown et al.32 (2008) |
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Chinman et al.33 (2006) |
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Chinman et al.41 (2001) |
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Chinman et al.47 (2008) |
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Hodges and Hardiman48 (2006) |
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Lawn et al.49 (2008) |
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Moll et al.50 (2009) |
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Nestor and Galletly51 (2008) |
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Selection process |
Few references were found regarding the methods and procedures to adopt or the most valued characteristics, and it is not clear who should be responsible for the selection process References found value the following selection criteria for this role: |
Franke et al.9 (2010) |
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– personal experience with the pathology |
Repper and Watson21 (2012) |
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– readiness to professional development |
Lawn et al.49 (2008) |
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– good social and communication skills |
Moll et al.50 (2009) |
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– motivation to take on this role |
Ahmed et al.52 (2013) |
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Barber et al.53 (2008) |
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Dennis54 (2003) |
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Gillard et al.55 (2013) |
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Simoni and Franks56 (2011) |
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Training |
Training must be administered by health professionals and by more experienced peer supporters, although it is not clear who should be in charge. There is no consensual information on the methods, type and duration of the training, and we found only one article that mentions a 40-hour training programme. In general, relevance is given to topics such as: |
Franke et al. 9 (2010) |
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– dealing with/sharing one’s experience with mental illness |
Bouchard et al.10 (2010) |
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– communication and group leadership skills |
Grant et al.14 (2012) |
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– the educational process regarding mental illness |
Kern et al.16 (2013) |
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– personal recovery, suicide prevention |
Repper and Watson21 (2012) |
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– definition of the role of the peer supporter |
Weigarten26 (2012) |
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Rabenschlag et al.30 (2012) |
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Ostrow and Adams38 (2012) |
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Chinman et al. 41 (2001) |
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Chinman et al.47 (2008) |
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Lawn et al.49 (2008) |
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Nestor and Galletly51 (2008) |
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Gillard et al.55 (2013) |
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Cook et al.57 (2010) |
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Fukkink58 (2011) |
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Pickett et al.59 (2010) |
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Rabenschlag et al.60 (2012) |
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Robinson et al.61 (2010) |
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Swarbrick et al.62 (2009) |
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Supervision |
Supervision provides information on: |
Mead et al. 1 (2001) |
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– Methods vary according to the organisations where the activities are developed, which are not specified |
Franke et al.9 (2010) |
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– The majority of studies indicate a weekly periodicity |
Moran et al.19 (2012) |
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– The person in charge varies, and it may be a health care professional or a more experienced peer supporter |
Repper and Watson21 (2012) |
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– Overall this is considered an important procedure for the good performance of peer supporters |
Chinman et al.33 (2006) |
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Lawn et al.49 (2008) |
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Gillard et al.55 (2013) |
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Nestor and Galletly51 (2008) |
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Barber et al.53 (2008) |
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Chinman et al.63 (2010) |