Perspect Nurs Sci.  2020 Apr;17(1):40-48. 10.16952/pns.2020.17.1.40.

Empowerment Experience of Mentally Ill Persons Providing Peer Support

• Woo SH

• KMID: 2500147
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.16952/pns.2020.17.1.40

Abstract

Purpose
This study aimed to describe the empowerment experience of mentally ill persons providing peer support.
Methods
Three peer supporters were recruited. A small group interview was conducted with peer supporters in November 2018. The transcribed data were analyzed using a qualitative case study.
Results
Three primary themes and seven sub-themes emerged as follows. The first theme is “Personal empowerment,”including 1) Remove the sense of helplessness, 2) Be confident, and 3) Establish self-identity. The second theme is “interpersonal empowerment”, including 1) Breaking out of isolation and taking an interest in peers, and 2) Assert opinion to family. The last theme was “political empowerment”, including 1) Want to legalize "peer support program", and 2) Move to promote "peer support program".
Conclusion
Through the activities of peer support, mentally ill persons have diverse empowerment experiences. The results of this study indicated that legislation of the peer support program is necessary to improve their empowerment experience. And it calls for study focusing on the effectiveness and necessity of peer support programs.

Keyword

Social support; Mentally ill persons; Empowerment; Qualitative research

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