Peer mentoring for individuals with an eating disorder: a qualitative evaluation of a pilot program

Abstract

Background: After receiving intensive medical treatment; individuals with eating disorders often require ongoing care to maintain their recovery, build social networks, and reduce risk of relapse. Methods: To address this important transition period, a six-month peer mentoring program was developed and piloted in Melbourne, Australia. Twelve adults with a past history of an eating disorder (mentors) were paired with 14 individuals with a current eating disorder (mentees). Pairs met for thirteen mentoring sessions in community settings. Throughout the program mentees and mentors completed reflective questions online. Upon completion of the program, qualitative interviews were conducted. Both online reflections and interviews explored themes relating to perceived benefits and challenges of participation in the peer mentoring program, and the differences between mentoring and traditional treatment.Results: Thematic analysis identified several benefits for mentees; including hope, reconnection with others, and reengaging with the world. The majority of mentees described their mentor as uniquely supportive due to their past experience of an eating disorder. Mentors reported experiencing benefits such as increased connection with self and others, and indicated that the experience helped them positively reframe their past experience of an eating disorder. Ending the relationship at the completion of the program was a significant challenge for both groups, and managing boundaries was deemed a main challenge by mentors.Conclusions: Overall, results indicated that this mode of informal support may be worthy of further investigation as an adjunct to clinical treatment programs for this population. Trial registration: Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials registration number -ACTRN12617001412325 -Date of registration -05/10/2017 (Retrospectively registered)

A peer interview qualitative study exploring support for carers of people with comorbid autism and eating disorders

“…One idea raised in the current study was, rather than focusing on service-provided interventions for carers, peer-based support for carers could be particularly bene cial for this population. Previous studies exploring peer support and peer mentoring in carer and ED elds have found that this approach lessens feelings of isolation and exclusion due to the sense of shared experience, and can create feelings of hope [34,35]. With carers in the present study describing experiences of social isolation, hopelessness, and frustration with existing services due to a perceived lack of understanding of co-occurring ASC and ED, it is possible that peer-based support could be appropriate for this population.…”

“…With carers in the present study describing experiences of social isolation, hopelessness, and frustration with existing services due to a perceived lack of understanding of co-occurring ASC and ED, it is possible that peer-based support could be appropriate for this population. However, drawbacks described in previous studies include the di culty of ending relationships at the end of the mentorship programme, and managing boundaries [35]. In addition, peer support alone may not be su cient in helping carers, and additional or alternative sources of help may be required [34].…”

A peer interview qualitative study exploring support for carers of people with comorbid autism and eating disorders

“…One idea raised in the current study was, rather than focusing on clinical service-provided interventions for carers, peer-based support for carers could be particularly beneficial for this population. Previous studies exploring peer support and peer mentoring in carer and ED fields have found that this approach lessens feelings of isolation and exclusion due to the sense of shared experience, and can create feelings of hope [ 40 , 41 ]. With carers in the present study describing experiences of social isolation, hopelessness, and frustration with existing services due to a perceived lack of understanding of co-occurring ASC and ED, it is possible that peer-based support could be appropriate for this population.…”

“…With carers in the present study describing experiences of social isolation, hopelessness, and frustration with existing services due to a perceived lack of understanding of co-occurring ASC and ED, it is possible that peer-based support could be appropriate for this population. However, drawbacks described in previous studies include the difficulty of ending relationships at the end of the mentorship programme, and managing boundaries [ 41 ]. In addition, peer support alone may not be sufficient in helping carers, and additional or alternative sources of help may be required [ 40 ].…”

The Impact of Peer Support on Patient Outcomes in Adults With Physical Health Conditions: A Scoping Review

“…This scoping review is limited in terms of the population group considered, namely, those with physical health conditions. Alternative populations that have been shown in the literature to utilize peer support include families and carers of individuals with physical health conditions [29][30][31]; mental health populations [32][33][34][35][36]; children and young people [37][38][39][40]; 'at-risk' groups [41]; veterans [42] and those that are homeless [43].…”