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Experts by Experience: Peer Support and its Use with the Homeless
Stephanie L Barker1, Nick Maguire2
1School of Psychology, University of Southampton, Building 44, University Rd, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK. S.L.Barker@soton.ac.uk.
Community Mental Health Journal
|February 9, 2017
Summary
Intentional peer support (IPS) significantly improves quality of life, reduces drug/alcohol use, and enhances social support for homeless individuals. Shared experiences and role modeling are key elements of effective peer support interventions.
Area of Science:
- Social Sciences
- Public Health
- Psychology
Background:
- Homeless individuals face complex challenges requiring tailored support.
- Peer support, leveraging lived experience, offers unique insights.
- Intentional Peer Support (IPS) formalizes peer support through professional organizations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of IPS interventions for adults and young adults experiencing homelessness.
- To identify common elements and underlying mechanisms of effective peer support.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search across PyscINFO, Web of Science, MEDLINE, and CINAHL.
- Inclusion of ten studies with a total of 1,829 participants.
- Quality assessment of included studies.
Main Results:
- Peer support demonstrated significant positive impacts on quality of life, substance use, and social support.
- Identified key components: shared experiences, role modeling, and social support.
- One study rated moderate/high quality; others were low/moderate.
Conclusions:
- IPS is an effective intervention for improving outcomes in homeless populations.
- Shared experiences and role modeling are crucial for facilitating change.
- Further high-quality research is needed to fully understand IPS effectiveness.
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