Peer-led support programs for family and friends who contribute regular support to an adult diagnosed with a mental health condition can help significantly improve carer well-being, reveals a new study. The findings of the study are published in the journal Psychological Medicine.
Family Education Programs (FEPs) - led by trained individuals with their own personal experience of caring for someone with mental health issues - provide education and support for groups of carers.
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‘Peer group can be used as a critical first step in reducing carer burden.’
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Over a period of seven years, researchers surveyed 1,016 carers enrolled in 207 FEP courses operated nationally by Wellways Australia.
Lead researcher, La Trobe Associate Professor John Farhall, said the study gives greater confidence to health professionals and funders - as well as to potential participants - that FEPs can be used as a critical first step in reducing carer burden.
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A new research from the University of Michigan Health System has revealed that phone calls with a peer facing the same self-management challenges helped diabetes patients.
"Until now, very little research has been done on how these programs work," Associate Professor Farhall said.
"The results show that the key ingredients of the program - increased knowledge and peer support - were associated with helpful changes reported by carers, including improved communication with the person they were caring for.
"Importantly, it was the degree of peer support that explained reductions in caregivers' overall distress."
When carers were surveyed at the completion of the eight-week program, researchers found:
"It's important to note that improvements reported at the end of the main program had been maintained when we followed up with carers ten months later," Associate Professor Farhall said.
"Peer-led courses such as these can help unpaid caregiving remain rewarding and effective for both the carer and their loved one."
Emma Constantine, research co-author and General Manager of peer education programs at Wellways Australia, said that the findings strengthen the increasing evidence base for peer support.
"These programs build resilience for carers and improve outcomes for the whole family - peer education needs to be part of the standard range of supports available in our mental health and disability system," Ms. Constantine said.
Source: Eurekalert
Diabetes Patients May Benefit From Peer Support
A new research from the University of Michigan Health System has revealed that phone calls with a peer facing the same self-management challenges helped diabetes patients.
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"Until now, very little research has been done on how these programs work," Associate Professor Farhall said.
"The results show that the key ingredients of the program - increased knowledge and peer support - were associated with helpful changes reported by carers, including improved communication with the person they were caring for.
"Importantly, it was the degree of peer support that explained reductions in caregivers' overall distress."
When carers were surveyed at the completion of the eight-week program, researchers found:
- Mental health knowledge in carers increased by 16.6 per cent
- Communication between carers and family members improved by 11.7 percent
- Psychological distress in carers decreased by 8.6 per cent
- Carer self-blame decreased by 5.7 per cent
- Positive feelings between carers and family members increased by 7.6 percent
- Relationship quality between carers and family members increased by 5.3 percent
- Carer's stigmatising attitudes toward mental health conditions decreased by 4 per cent
"It's important to note that improvements reported at the end of the main program had been maintained when we followed up with carers ten months later," Associate Professor Farhall said.
"Peer-led courses such as these can help unpaid caregiving remain rewarding and effective for both the carer and their loved one."
Emma Constantine, research co-author and General Manager of peer education programs at Wellways Australia, said that the findings strengthen the increasing evidence base for peer support.
"These programs build resilience for carers and improve outcomes for the whole family - peer education needs to be part of the standard range of supports available in our mental health and disability system," Ms. Constantine said.
Source: Eurekalert
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New research shows that health organisations need to give careful consideration to schemes which encourage people with chronic diseases to seek support from peers, to avoid the potential negative effects.
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