scholarly journals Community-Based Peer Support Intervention to Mitigate Social Isolation and Stigma of Adolescent Motherhood in Harare, Zimbabwe

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiwoneso B. Tinago ◽  
Edward A. Frongillo ◽  
Andrea Warren ◽  
Vivian Chitiyo ◽  
Ashley K. Cifarelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Adolescent Mothers ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Support Intervention ◽  
Peer Support Intervention

Abstract Background Adolescent mothers in Zimbabwe often experience stigma, isolation and lack coping skills and resources to successfully navigate motherhood. Social isolation and stigma are linked to poor mental health outcomes. No interventions currently address mental health of adolescent mothers in Zimbabwe. Peer support groups in other contexts have been effective at increasing social connectedness, self-esteem, and self-efficacy, providing coping mechanisms to manage stigma experiences, in addition to empowering and improving mental health or adolescents and adolescent mothers. To develop a community-based peer support intervention, we aimed to understand the unique needs of adolescent mothers and how peer support groups could address those needs. Methods Focus group discussions were conducted with 85 adolescent mothers aged 14-18 years, 24 community health workers, and 25 key community stakeholders in a low-income high-density community in Harare. Data were analyzed thematically using NVivo 12 software. Results Participants described adolescent mother experiences with stigma and social isolation, in addition to challenges including gossip, lack of employment and educational opportunities and gaps in services and programming. Peer support groups for adolescent mothers were welcomed to improve mental health, social support, knowledge sharing and skills building. Participants identified varying preferred frequency and duration of group sessions addressing topics including income generation, mental health, and gossip, facilitated by community health workers at health and community centers. Use of WhatsApp Messenger to support intervention efforts was welcomed as an affordable and user-friendly platform to share information. Conclusions Participants supported peer support groups to empower, meet needs, and improve the health of adolescent mothers.

scholarly journals Community-Based Peer Support Intervention to Mitigate Social Isolation and Stigma of Adolescent Motherhood in Harare, Zimbabwe

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiwoneso B. Tinago ◽  
Edward A. Frongillo ◽  
Andrea Warren ◽  
Vivian Chitiyo ◽  
Ashley K. Cifarelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Adolescent Mothers ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Support Intervention ◽  
Peer Support Intervention

Abstract Background Adolescent mothers in Zimbabwe often experience stigma, isolation and lack coping skills and resources to successfully navigate motherhood. Social isolation and stigma are linked to poor mental health outcomes. No interventions currently address mental health of adolescent mothers in Zimbabwe. Peer support groups in other contexts have been effective at increasing social connectedness, self-esteem, and self-efficacy, providing coping mechanisms to manage stigma experiences, in addition to empowering and improving mental health or adolescents and adolescent mothers. To develop a community-based peer support intervention, we need to understand the unique needs of adolescent mothers and how peer support groups could address those needs. Methods Focus group discussions were conducted with 85 adolescent mothers aged 14-18 years, 24 community health workers, and 25 key community stakeholders in a low-income high-density community in Harare. Data were analyzed thematically using NVivo 12 software.Results Participants described adolescent mother experiences with stigma and social isolation, in addition to challenges including gossip, lack of employment and educational opportunities and gaps in services and programming. Peer support groups for adolescent mothers were welcomed to improve mental health, social support, knowledge sharing and skills building. Participants identified varying preferred frequency and duration of group sessions addressing topics including income generation, mental health, and gossip, facilitated by community health workers at health and community centers. Use of WhatsApp Messenger to support intervention efforts was welcomed as an affordable and user-friendly platform to share information.Conclusions Participants supported peer support groups to empower, meet needs, and improve the health of adolescent mothers.

scholarly journals Community-Based Peer Support Intervention to Mitigate Social Isolation and Stigma of Adolescent Motherhood in Harare, Zimbabwe

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiwoneso B. Tinago ◽  
Edward A. Frongillo ◽  
Andrea Warren ◽  
Vivian Chitiyo ◽  
Ashley K. Cifarelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Community Health ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Adolescent Mothers ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Support Intervention ◽  
Adolescent Motherhood ◽  
Peer Support Intervention

Abstract Background Adolescent mothers in Zimbabwe often experience isolation and lack coping skills and resources to successfully navigate motherhood. To develop a community-based peer support intervention, we need to understand the unique needs of adolescent mothers and how peer support groups could address those needs. Methods Focus group discussions were conducted with 85 adolescent mothers aged 14-18 years, 24 community health workers, and 25 key community stakeholders in a low-income high-density community in Harare. Data were analyzed thematically using NVivo 12 software. Results Participants described adolescent motherhood challenges and gaps in services and programming. Participants preferred bi-weekly one-hour group sessions addressing topics including income generation, mental health, and gossip, facilitated by community health workers at health and community centers. Use of WhatsApp Messenger to support intervention efforts was welcomed as an affordable and user-friendly platform to share information. Conclusions Adolescent mothers need strong adult community support and health knowledge to address important social issues that impact their health and well-being. Facilitated peer support groups can strengthen social networks and mitigate the adverse effects of social isolation and stigma among adolescent mothers. The community supported participatory engagement that empowers, meets needs, and improves the health of adolescent mothers.

scholarly journals Development and assessment of feasibility of a community-based peer support intervention to mitigate social isolation and stigma of adolescent motherhood in Harare, Zimbabwe

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiwoneso B. Tinago ◽  
Edward A. Frongillo ◽  
Andrea M. Warren ◽  
Vivian Chitiyo ◽  
Ashley K. Cifarelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Community Health Workers ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Adolescent Mothers ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Support Intervention ◽  
Community Stakeholders

Abstract Background Adolescent mothers in Zimbabwe often experience stigma, isolation, and lack coping skills and resources to successfully navigate motherhood. Social isolation and stigma are linked to poor mental health outcomes. No interventions currently address mental health of adolescent mothers in Zimbabwe. Peer support groups in other contexts have been effective at increasing social connectedness, self-esteem, and self-efficacy, providing coping mechanisms to manage stigma experiences, in addition to empowering and improving mental health of adolescents and adolescent mothers. To develop a community-based peer support intervention, we aimed to understand the unique needs of adolescent mothers, how peer support groups could address those needs, and the feasibility of implementing the intervention. Methods Focus group discussions were conducted with 86 adolescent mothers aged 14–18 years, 24 community health workers, and 25 key community stakeholders in a low-income high-density community in Harare. Data were analyzed thematically using NVivo 12 software. Results Participants described adolescent mother experiences with stigma and social isolation, in addition to challenges including gossip, lack of employment and educational opportunities, and gaps in services and programming. Peer support groups for adolescent mothers were welcomed to improve mental health, social support, knowledge sharing, and skills building. Participants identified varying preferred frequency and duration of group sessions addressing topics including income generation, mental health, and gossip, facilitated by community health workers at health and community centers. The use of WhatsApp Messenger to support intervention efforts was welcomed as an affordable and user-friendly platform to share information. Implementation (i.e., training, supervision, frequency, location, and co-facilitation) was feasible. Conclusions Adolescent mothers, community health workers and key community stakeholders welcomed the peer support groups as a feasible way to address the mothers’ needs.

scholarly journals Peer support intervention as a tool to address college students’ mental health amidst the COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
pp. 002076402095446
Author(s):  
Daniel Luccas Arenas ◽  
Anna Carolina Viduani ◽  
Ana Margareth Siqueira Bassols ◽  
Simone Hauck
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
College Students ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Support Intervention ◽  
Peer Support Intervention

scholarly journals Using Caregiver Strain to Predict Participation in a Peer-Support Intervention for Parents of Children With Emotional or Behavioral Needs

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 170-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristin L. Duppong Hurley ◽  
Stacy-Ann A. January ◽  
Matthew C. Lambert
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Family Support ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Peer To Peer ◽  
Caregiver Strain ◽  
Support Programs ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Support Intervention ◽  
Behavioral Needs ◽  
Peer Support Intervention

Children receiving services for severe emotional and behavioral difficulties are less likely to have parents who are involved in their education and support services. Peer-to-peer family support programs are one approach to increasing the self-efficacy and empowerment of parents’ engagement in the treatment of a child’s mental health conditions. Furthermore, programs providing parental support may reduce the strain and negative consequences caregivers may experience due to the stress of caring for a child with emotional and behavioral needs. Although much is known about the relation between caregivers’ strain and children’s use of mental health services, less is known about caregiver strain and parents’ participation in family support programs. This study evaluated whether caregiver strain predicted parents’ ( N = 52) participation in a phone-based, peer-to-peer support intervention. Results of the regression analysis indicated that highly strained parents participated in four to seven more phone conversations over the course of intervention, which occurred across the academic year. Therefore, findings have implications for the school and mental health providers aiming to increase the involvement of parents of children with emotional and behavioral disorders.

scholarly journals Acceptability and Impact of Group Interpersonal Therapy (IPT-G) on Kenyan Adolescent Mothers Living with HIV: A Qualitative Analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Obadia Yator ◽  
Lincoln Khasakhala ◽  
Grace John Stewart ◽  
Manasi Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Adolescent Mothers ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Instant Messaging ◽  
Task Shifting ◽  
Wait List ◽  
Wait List Group ◽  
Phone Calls ◽  
Living With Hiv

Abstract Background Task shifting is a well-tested implementation strategy, within low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), that addresses the shortage of trained mental health personnel. Task sharing can increase access to care for patients with mental illnesses. In Kenya, community health workers [CHWs are a combination of community health assistants (CHAs) and community health volunteers (CHVs)], have played a crucial role in this front. In our study, we seek to assess the acceptability and feasibility of IPT-G delivered by CHWs among depressed postpartum adolescents (PPAs) living with HIV.Method Twenty-four PPAs were administered IPT-G by trained CHWs from two health centers. A two-arm study design (IPT-G intervention and treatment as usual) with an intent to treat was used to assess acceptability and feasibility of IPT-G. Participants who scored >10 on Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS) and who were 6–12 weeks postpartum were eligible for the study using purposeful sampling. Participants were equally distributed into two groups: one group for intervention and another for wait-list group. This was achieved by randomly allocating numerical numbers and separating those with odd numbers (intervention group) and even numbers (wait-list group). Focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews ascertained the experience and perceptions of the postpartum adolescents and the CHWs. In addition to weekly face-to-face continuous supportive supervision for CHWs, phone calls, short messages services, and WhatsApp instant messaging services were also utilized.Results The CHWs found the intervention useful for their own knowledge and skill-set. On participation, 21out of the 24 adolescents attended all sessions. Most of the adolescents reported improvement in their interpersonal relationships with reduced distress and lessening of HIV-related stigma. Primary health care workers embraced the intervention by availing space for sessions. Conclusion Our study demonstrates possible benefits of task shifting in addressing mental health problems within low-resource settings in Kenya and group IPT is demonstrated to be both acceptable and feasible by health workers and adolescents receiving care.

scholarly journals Development of a peer support intervention to improve the experience and outcomes of discharge from inpatient mental health care: the role of experiential knowledge in a coproduced approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Marks ◽  
Rhiannon Foster ◽  
Sarah Louise Gibson ◽  
Alan Simpson ◽  
Miles Rinaldi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Experiential Knowledge ◽  
Support Intervention ◽  
Peer Support Intervention

Abstract Objectives Peer support is rapidly being introduced into mental health services internationally, yet peer support interventions are often poorly described, limiting the usefulness of research in informing policy and practice. This paper reports the development of a peer support intervention that aims to improve outcomes of discharge from inpatient to community mental health care. People with experiential knowledge of using mental health services—peer workers and service user researchers—were involved in all stages of developing the intervention: generating intervention components; producing the intervention handbook; piloting the intervention. Results Systematic review and expert panels, including our Lived Experience Advisory Panel, identified 66 candidate intervention components in five domains: Recruitment and Role Description of Peer Workers; Training for Peer Workers; Delivery of Peer Support; Supervision and Support for Peer Workers; Organisation and Team. A series of Local Advisory Groups were used to prioritise components and explore implementation issues using consensus methods, refining an intervention blueprint. A peer support handbook and peer worker training programme were produced by the study team and piloted in two study sites. Feedback workshops were held with peer workers and their supervisors to produce a final handbook and training programme. The ENRICH trial is registered with the ISRCTN clinical trial register, number ISRCTN 10043328, and was overseen by an independent steering committee and a data monitoring committee.

scholarly journals Protocol of a Community-Based Intervention on Mental Health in Kashmir

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (6_suppl) ◽  
pp. S68-S72
Author(s):  
Aadil Bashir ◽  
Margaret McDonald ◽  
James Egan ◽  
Mary E. Hawk
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Community Health Workers ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Clinical Psychologist ◽  
Mental Health Training ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Mental Health Issues

Introduction: Mental health issues are on an exponential rise in Kashmir due to varied reasons including political instability, eco fragility, the growing lag in the provision of education and employment, and several other reasons. Impediments such as the overwhelming stigma and the cultural sensitivity associated with mental health issues both sustain and perpetuate mental ill health and also prevent any treatment and rehabilitation. This article describes the protocol of a research project, funded by the Indian Council of Medical Research, which aims to address this issue. Aim: To screen the population for mental health issues and to provide community-based intervention for the identified cases also to train community health workers for sustainable mental health support. Methods: We will conduct a household survey using the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSCL-25) for the identification of the clients. A multi-stage random sampling shall be used to select the villages and the households from the marginalized communities. A sample of 500 respondents shall be screened using HSCL-25. Those who screen positive for mental health issues will be offered cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) by a qualified clinical psychologist. The research will be able to address the diagnosis of depression and anxiety-related cases and the subsequent intervention. Additionally, we will utilize the facilitator’s manual for Mental Health Training Program for Community Health Workers to build sustainable mental health services in community settings. Discussion: The study shall present a roadmap focusing on the indispensability of a comprehensive community-based intervention on mental health utilizing a non-pharmacological method. Assessing and analyzing the dynamics of mental health illness first hand, the study shall move ahead to offer a culturally tailored counseling program at the community level. The study also aims to highlight the role of the indigenous human resource (community health workers) and how its participation leads to a more scientific and sustainable intervention for more effective results, with an increased level of awareness and sensitization in a conventional society like Kashmir.

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