Peer volunteer perspectives following a complex social cognitive intervention: a qualitative investigation

McHugh, Joanna E.; Lee, Olga; Aspell, Niamh; Connolly, Leona; Lawlor, Brian A.; Brennan, Sabina

doi:10.1017/s1041610216000144

Cited by 6 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…This functional dimension is a better predictor of positive health outcomes than the quantitative dimension [ 87 ]. This supports ours and prior conclusions that there are distinct effects of different dimensions of social relationships on cognitive abilities [ 88 , 89 ], and highlights the need for studies that are specifically designed to examine these specific effects. Intervention trials would also help to determine the precise aspects of social relationships that are needed to benefit cognitive function depending on the needs of at-risk older adults.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

The impact of social activities, social networks, social support and social relationships on the cognitive functioning of healthy older adults: a systematic review

et al. 2017

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BackgroundSocial relationships, which are contingent on access to social networks, promote engagement in social activities and provide access to social support. These social factors have been shown to positively impact health outcomes. In the current systematic review, we offer a comprehensive overview of the impact of social activities, social networks and social support on the cognitive functioning of healthy older adults (50+) and examine the differential effects of aspects of social relationships on various cognitive domains.MethodsWe followed PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) guidelines, and collated data from randomised controlled trials (RCTs), genetic and observational studies. Independent variables of interest included subjective measures of social activities, social networks, and social support, and composite measures of social relationships (CMSR). The primary outcome of interest was cognitive function divided into domains of episodic memory, semantic memory, overall memory ability, working memory, verbal fluency, reasoning, attention, processing speed, visuospatial abilities, overall executive functioning and global cognition.ResultsThirty-nine studies were included in the review; three RCTs, 34 observational studies, and two genetic studies. Evidence suggests a relationship between (1) social activity and global cognition and overall executive functioning, working memory, visuospatial abilities and processing speed but not episodic memory, verbal fluency, reasoning or attention; (2) social networks and global cognition but not episodic memory, attention or processing speed; (3) social support and global cognition and episodic memory but not attention or processing speed; and (4) CMSR and episodic memory and verbal fluency but not global cognition.ConclusionsThe results support prior conclusions that there is an association between social relationships and cognitive function but the exact nature of this association remains unclear. Implications of the findings are discussed and suggestions for future research provided.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO 2012: CRD42012003248.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s13643-017-0632-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

The impact of social activities, social networks, social support and social relationships on the cognitive functioning of healthy older adults: a systematic review

et al. 2017

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“…13 Positive benefits for volunteers, such as reduced social isolation, are also reported in other studies. 11,17 We found that a feeling of connectedness was a positive side effect of being together with persons with dementia and other volunteers. Relatedness is recognized as an important intrinsic motivation factor in accordance with SDT.…”

Section: What's In It For Me?mentioning

confidence: 87%

<p>How Volunteers Contribute to Persons with Dementia Coping in Everyday Life</p>

Malmedal¹,

Steinsheim²,

Nordtug³

et al. 2020

JMDH

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Introduction:The society needs volunteers to fulfill its duty to ensure that people with dementia have active and meaningful everyday lives. Volunteers seem to experience their work as positive and meaningful for their own part, but we know less about what motivates volunteers to start working in home-dwelling dementia care and what motivates them to continue their engagement. This study seeks to close some of the knowledge gaps that exist regarding volunteers' engagement in activities for persons with dementia. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore what motivates volunteers to start engaging in volunteer work in home-dwelling dementia care and what motivates them to continue their engagement. Methods: The study design was qualitative, using focus group interviews. Three focus group interviews (n=16) took place between May and June 2018. The text was analyzed using content analysis. Results: Findings in this study indicate that the volunteers were motivated by the feeling of doing an important job for the persons with dementia and their relatives, and that they contribute to their coping with everyday life. Other motivating factors included feeling important to someone, gaining friendship, and sharing common interests. They also believed that they do an important job for the community to fulfill society's goal that people with dementia should stay home longer. However, the volunteers were confused about their role and ask for knowledge, peer support, and clarification of roles. Conclusion: To maintain motivation volunteers need to know what his/her role is. A volunteer can and shall not act as a substitute for a professional, only as a supplement, and the expectations must be addressed to all stakeholders: the health care service, the volunteer, the person with dementia, and their relatives, as we believe that this will contribute to diminishing misunderstandings.

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“…For example, research suggests the importance of volunteers having had similar experiences as the carers, also known as experiential similarity, (Pillemer & Suitor, 2002;Sabir, Pillemer, Suitor, & Patterson, 2003) in facilitating positive benefits for carers (Greenwood & Habibi, 2014;Keyes et al, 2016). Positive benefits have also been reported for peer volunteers of older people, such as reduced social isolation through forming friendships with the support recipient and a sense of satisfaction from helping others (McHugh et al, 2016). However, how and if the same benefits are gained by volunteers supporting carers of people with dementia is unknown (Smith & Greenwood, 2014a).…”

Section: Defined Befriending Asmentioning

confidence: 99%

Volunteer peer support and befriending for carers of people living with dementia: An exploration of volunteers’ experiences

Smith

Drennan

Mackenzie

et al. 2017

Health Soc Care Community

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With ageing populations and greater reliance on the voluntary sector, the number of volunteer-led peer support and befriending services for carers of people with dementia in England is set to increase. However, little is known about the experiences of the volunteers who deliver these interventions, many of whom are former carers. Using in-depth semi-structured interviews with 10 volunteer peer supporters and befrienders, this exploratory study investigated volunteers' experiences of delivering the support, the types of relationships they form with carers and their perceptions of its impact upon them and on carers. Data were analysed using framework analysis. Findings showed that volunteers benefitted from their role due to the 'two-way' flow of support. Experiential similarity and having common interests with carers were considered important to the development of mutually beneficial relationships. Volunteers perceived that carers gained emotional and social support, which in turn improved the carers' coping ability. Being able to see positive changes to carers' lives was important for volunteers to gain enjoyment and satisfaction from their role. However, volunteers also identified challenges with their role, such as dealing with carers' emotions. Future research should investigate ways of reducing potential burden on volunteers and explore the impact of volunteering specifically on former carers of people with dementia.

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Peer volunteer perspectives following a complex social cognitive intervention: a qualitative investigation

Cited by 6 publications

References 31 publications

The impact of social activities, social networks, social support and social relationships on the cognitive functioning of healthy older adults: a systematic review

The impact of social activities, social networks, social support and social relationships on the cognitive functioning of healthy older adults: a systematic review

<p>How Volunteers Contribute to Persons with Dementia Coping in Everyday Life</p>

Volunteer peer support and befriending for carers of people living with dementia: An exploration of volunteers’ experiences

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