Helping others helps oneself: response shift effects in peer support.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Health and Social Care

Background:

• Peer support interventions are increasingly utilized in managing chronic diseases.
• The impact on the well-being of peer supporters themselves is less understood.
• This study examines the secondary effects of a peer support role on lay providers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the physical and psychosocial well-being of lay individuals acting as peer supporters.
• To analyze the impact of providing compassionate, active listening support to patients with chronic conditions.

Main Methods:

• Secondary analysis of a psychosocial randomized trial involving 132 people with multiple sclerosis.
• Quality-of-life questionnaires administered thrice over two years to peer supporters.
• Content analysis of a focus group discussion with peer telephone supporters three years post-intervention.

Main Results:

• Peer supporters reported greater changes in both positive and negative outcomes compared to supported patients.
• Significant improvements were observed in peer supporters' confidence, self-awareness, self-esteem, depression, and role functioning.
• Qualitative analysis revealed profound personal changes in self-perception and interpersonal relating among supporters.

Conclusions:

• Acting as a peer supporter can lead to significant personal growth and improved psychosocial well-being.
• The experience may induce a 'response shift,' altering internal standards and values for health and well-being.
• Peer support strategies could be therapeutically beneficial for both recipients and providers, fostering adaptation to illness.