title: "We're all thrown in the same boat … ": A qualitative analysis of peer support in dementia care.
abstract: Peer support is well established in fields such as the disability movement and mental health and is increasingly recognised as one way of enabling support by and for people with a diagnosis of dementia and their immediate carers. It was central to the implementation of the National Dementia Strategy (NDS) for England, when 40 demonstration sites were established. This mixed-methods study included in-depth qualitative interviews with people living with dementia (n = 101) and staff/stakeholders (n = 82) at 8 of the 40 sites. Data analysis was a five-stage process: coding framework developed (using 25 transcripts); further development of the framework (using a further 70 transcripts); development of emerging themes; modelling of themes and verification of models based on the entire data set. Peer support had positive emotional and social impact that was rooted in identification with others, a commonality of experience and reciprocity of support. There was also a contrast between the quality of peer support and support from professionals. This emphasises the significance of lived experience and promoting a strength-based approach to interpersonal support that is enabling and challenges a deficit approach to understanding dementia.
authors.affiliation: University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom sarah.keyes@ed.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Sarah E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Keyes
authors.affiliation: University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Charlotte L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Clarke
authors.affiliation: University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wilkinson
authors.affiliation: University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Eva Joanna
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Alexjuk
authors.affiliation: Independent Durham, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wilcockson
authors.affiliation: Newcastle University, Newcastle, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.affiliation: University of Northumbria, Newcastle, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Reynolds
authors.affiliation: University of South Wales, Wales, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Siobhan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McClelland
authors.affiliation: Newcastle University, Newcastle, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Lynne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Corner
authors.affiliation: University of Northumbria, Newcastle, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Mima
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cattan
mesh_terms: D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012944:Social Support
keywords: carers of people with dementia; commonality; lived experience; peer support; people with dementia; qualitative research