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Community Ment Health J (2012) 48:153160
DOI 10.1007/s10597-010-9358-5
ORIGINAL PAPER
Peer Support Within Clubhouse: A Grounded Theory Study
Francesca D. Coniglio Nicola Hancock
Louise A. Ellis
Received: 19 April 2010 / Accepted: 7 October 2010 / Published online: 24 October 2010 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2010
Abstract Peer support facilitates recovery. However, little is known about the role of peer support within the Clubhouse model. This article reports on Clubhouse members experiences of peer support and the outcomes they identify from engaging in this phenomenon. Grounded theory guided the study design involving 17 semi-structured interviews conducted with 10 Clubhouse members. Constant comparison and open coding were undertaken to identify underlying concepts within transcripts. A conceptual model of peer support was derived from Clubhouse members experience. Four levels of peer support emerged: Social inclusion and belonging; shared achievement through doing; interdependency; and at the deepest level, intimacy. Peer support within Clubhouse is a multi-layered construct in terms of depth and nature of relationships. Clubhouse appears to contribute a unique tier within the layered construct of peer support. This tier is based on the sharing of achievement through working together on shared tasks within the work-ordered day Clubhouse structure.
Keywords Peer support Recovery Mental health
Clubhouse
Introduction
Over one hundred longitudinal studies conducted within the last century provide robust evidence that good long-term outcomes ranging from mild functional improvement to complete recovery happens for around two-thirds of people with severe mental illnesses (Warner 2004). Additionally, published testimonies from those with the lived experience of mental health recovery have provided much of the rich, qualitative data needed for the research community to begin engaging in efforts to operationally dene the concept or construct of recovery and to explore what facilitates or indeed hinders the recovery journey (Davidson et al. 2005). Peer support has been recognised and evidenced as a key facilitator of mental health recovery over the last two decades (Corrigan et al. 2005). It has been dened as the notion of reciprocity in giving and receiving support based on the key principles of respect, responsibility and shared experience (Mead et al. 2001). This shared experience provides peers with the understanding of what benets and motivates the other.
Peer support offers an abundance of positive outcomes evident in...