Experiences and outcomes of group volunteer befriending with patients with severe mental illness: an exploratory mixed-methods study in Colombia

Abstract

Background Improving care for patients with severe mental illness in Latin America requires effective strategies that are low-cost. One such strategy is a volunteering scheme, referred to as befriending, which seeks to support the social integration of patients. Despite positive reports in other world regions, this intervention has not been studied in Latin America. Whilst befriending programmes commonly form patient-volunteer dyads, group arrangements may be an alternative with some benefits. Here, we aim to explore the feasibility, experiences and outcomes of a group volunteer befriending intervention for patients with severe mental illness in Colombia. Methods In this exploratory non-controlled study, 10 groups of five individuals were formed, each consisting of three individuals with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder and two volunteers from the community in Bogotá, Colombia. Each group was encouraged to participate together in social activities within their community over a 6-month period. Patients’ quality of life, objective social outcomes, symptom levels and internalised stigma were assessed before and after the intervention. Patients’ and volunteers’ experiences were explored in semi-structured interviews which were analysed using inductive content analysis. Results Outcomes were available for 23 patients. Whilst their objective social situation had significantly improved at the end of the intervention, other outcomes did not show statistically significant differences. The interviews with participants revealed positive experiences which fell into five categories: 1) stigma reduction; 2) personal growth; 3) formation of relationships; 4) continuity and sustainability of befriending; 5) acceptability and feasibility of befriending. Conclusions A volunteer befriending programme in small groups of two volunteers and three patients is feasible and associated with positive experiences of participants. Such programmes may also improve the objective social situation of patients. This low-cost intervention may be useful for patients with severe mental illnesses in Latin America. Trial registration ISRCTN72241383 (Date of Registration: 04/03/2019, retrospectively registered).

Barriers to volunteering in the field of intellectual disability: a cluster analysis

“…Several studies acknowledge the importance of friendships for an individual's social inclusion process (Botero-Rodríguez et al, 2021 ; McConkey et al, 2021 ; Wilson et al, 2017 ). Such studies prove that people with intellectual disabilities, especially those with a higher degree of disability, have fewer friends and social relationships than people with a lower degree of disability (Robinson et al, 2020 ); thus, finding a network of friends to provide them with assistance is central and urgent.…”

“…The relationship between a so-called normal individual and an intellectually disabled person provides benefits to both parties (Wilson et al, 2017 ). Socialisation improves personal health and well-being, and expanding the personal circle of friends can enhance social development (Botero-Rodríguez et al, 2021 ; Wilson et al, 2017 ; Zboja et al, 2020 ), and potentially foster greater social contact and improvements in the psychosocial domain (Wilson et al, 2017 ). On the other hand, volunteers develop a greater sense of self-care (Botero-Rodríguez et al, 2021 ; Morris et al, 2017 ).…”

“…Socialisation improves personal health and well-being, and expanding the personal circle of friends can enhance social development (Botero-Rodríguez et al, 2021 ; Wilson et al, 2017 ; Zboja et al, 2020 ), and potentially foster greater social contact and improvements in the psychosocial domain (Wilson et al, 2017 ). On the other hand, volunteers develop a greater sense of self-care (Botero-Rodríguez et al, 2021 ; Morris et al, 2017 ). For example, caregivers in the area of dementia people face great challenges and they need support on many levels, as these people face a higher risk of developing physical and mental health problems, as well as a lower quality of life (Halvorsrud et al, 2020 ).…”

Common patient experiences across three resource-oriented interventions for severe mental illness: a qualitative study in low-resource settings

“…Psychosocial interventions that are low-cost and make use of a patient’s existing personal and social resources are an effective strategy to provide low-cost and effective health care for patients with severe mental illnesses in low-resource settings where there are often limited financial resources and trained professionals to provide specialized mental health services [ 1 – 4 ].…”

“…Specifically, in DIALOG+, patients reported that it promoted empowerment and allowed for greater self-reflection and expression [ 12 ]. Befriending through volunteers was shown to lead to benefits such as reducing stigma and building relationships [ 4 , 13 ]. Family involvement interventions also were experienced positively by patients, providing a space conducive for shared learning to occur [ 7 , 10 ].…”