Experiences of service users receiving peer support in mental health services: Qualitative findings from the international UPSIDES trial

Résumé fourni par la source

Although peer support is increasingly used in mental health services worldwide, service users' experiences have been studied mostly in high-income countries. The current study examined service users' experiences of peer support in the UPSIDES Trial, delivered across diverse cultural and resource contexts, including high, middle and low-income countries. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 33 service users across six study sites (Germany [two sites], Uganda, Tanzania, Israel, and India) and analyzed using thematic analysis to identify patterns in participants' experiences. To capture diverse perspectives, service users were purposively sampled based on pre-post changes in social inclusion and personal recovery, with participants randomly selected from the top and bottom 20% ('high' and 'low' responders). Four themes emerged: (1) adaptable settings and intervention flexibility; (2) 'active ingredients' such as mutuality, reciprocity, and role-modeling; (3) positive intra-personal, inter-personal, and behavioral outcomes; and (4) barriers, including mismatches, unmet expectations, unclear boundaries and challenges to continuity. The study highlights shared relational elements of peer support alongside context-specific adaptations. Findings reinforce its value as a complementary, person-centred service with global relevance, while pointing to challenges including improving matching, reducing dropout, and clarifying expectations. Site-specific aspects are discussed, offering insights for global implementation.

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