Peer support workers’ experiences of supporting women with postnatal depression: a constant comparative exploration

CARTER, Ruth, CUST, Fiona and BOATH, Elizabeth (2017) Peer support workers’ experiences of supporting women with postnatal depression: a constant comparative exploration. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology. pp. 1-9. ISSN 1469-672X

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Abstract or description

Objective: To explore the lived experiences of peer support workers (PSWs) during their intervention with mothers suffering from postnatal depression (PND).

Background: Postnatal depression is a major public health concern affecting approximately 13% of women worldwide. There is evidence within recent literature that peer support may have a positive effect upon women suffering with PND.

Methods: Written data from the PSW’s logbooks, interviews and supervisory sessions was collected and thematically analysed.

Results: Data were analysed using a constant comparative method and four key themes emerged. These were: changing perspectives of the PSW, their personal self-analysis and recognition, concern about the abandonment of the women that they had been supporting and self-recovery from postnatal depression.

Conclusion: Findings indicate that PSWs choose to offer support based upon their own experiences, rejecting formal counselling therapies. This study found that peer-designed interventions do appear to have some merit.

Keywords: Mental health, peer support, experiences, empathy, self-recognition

Item Type:	Article
Faculty:	School of Health and Social Care > Midwifery and Allied Health Professions
Depositing User:	Fiona CUST
Date Deposited:	16 Jan 2018 09:48
Last Modified:	24 Feb 2023 13:49
Related URLs:	http://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/tF3Xg2... http://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/u3nBPR...
URI:	https://eprints.staffs.ac.uk/id/eprint/3983

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