Peer support groups after acquired brain injury: a systematic review
Rachel Hughes, Pete Fleming, Lauren Henshall
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Peer support groups can be a way to obtain support, problem solve, and widen social networks. However, there has been no systematic literature review examining the evidence for the use of peer support groups after an acquired brain injury (ABI). OBJECTIVE: This review sought to systematically evaluate the evidence for (1) the psychosocial effectiveness, and (2) the experience of peer support groups in adults who had experienced ABI's. METHODS: The systematic literature search was conducted across the following four databases: PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, MEDLINE, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) in October 2019. The mixed methods appraisal tool was used to examine the quality of the research. RESULTS: 13 papers were included in this review. Limited evidence was found for the psychosocial effectiveness of peer support groups in ABI, although the experience of partaking in a peer support group was largely found to be positive. The benefits and helping factors of taking part in a peer support group can be summarized as: being connected, interacting with others, and providing and receiving support. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this review suggest that peer support groups could be a promising intervention to support individuals and promote adjustment following an ABI.