title: Participants' experiences of hospital-based peer support groups for stroke patients and carers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim was to examine stroke patients', carers' and volunteer supporters' experiences of peer support groups during hospital rehabilitation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semi-structured interviews and questionnaires were analysed by inductive thematic analysis. Participants also answered a standardised Therapeutic Factors Inventory (TFI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five superordinate themes emerged for patients, carers and volunteer supporters. Three themes related to group processes; 'practical issues' (five subthemes), 'staff presence', 'similarity-difference', and comparison with other group members. 'Value of peers' (five subthemes) described beneficial outcomes. The 'similarity-difference' theme and four subthemes under 'value of peers' were related to items from the TFI which drew agreement from most participants. The supporters had some unique themes; two were concerned with group organisation, one was the experience of 'being helpful to others' and one described the experiences of training. As well as its links with themes, agreement with TFI items revealed experiences that did not emerge as themes; feeling secure, expressing emotions and increased independence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Participation in the group was experienced as beneficial by participants. Benefits included helpful information, advice, making new connections and increased awareness of stroke. Participants identified important group processes such as upward and downward comparison. Responses to the TFI suggested that attendance brought therapeutic gains.
authors: Clinical Psychology, School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK. Reg.Morris@wales.nhs.uk
authors: Reg
authors: R
authors: Morris
authors: Paula
authors: P
authors: Morris
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006779:Hospitals, Public; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010358:Patient Participation; D010379:Peer Group; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012944:Social Support; D020521:Stroke / Q000523:psychology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom; D014838:Volunteers / Q000523:psychology*