title: The impact of volunteering on the volunteer: findings from a peer support programme for family carers of people with dementia.
abstract: With an ageing population, there are increasing numbers of experienced family carers (FCs) who could provide peer support to newer carers in a similar care situation. The aims of this paper are to: (i) use a cross-sectional study design to compare characteristics of volunteers and recipients of a peer support programme for FCs of people with dementia, in terms of demographic background, social networks and psychological well-being; and (ii) use a longitudinal study design to explore the overall impact of the programme on the volunteers in terms of psychological well-being. Data were collected from programmes run in Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Berkshire and four London boroughs between October 2009 and March 2013. The volunteer role entailed empathic listening and encouragement over a 10-month period. Both carer support volunteers (N = 87) and recipient FCs (N = 109) provided baseline demographic information. Data on social networks, personal growth, self-efficacy, service use and well-being (SF-12; EuroQol Visual Analogue Scale; Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; Control, Autonomy, Self-Realisation, Pleasure-19) were collected prior to the start of the intervention (N = 43) and at either 3- to 5 month or 10 month follow-up (N = 21). Volunteers were more likely than recipients of support to be female and to have cared for a parent/grandparent rather than spouse. Volunteers were also more psychologically well than support recipients in terms of personal growth, depression and perceived well-being. The longitudinal analysis identified small but significant declines in personal growth and autonomy and a positive correlation between the volunteers' duration of involvement and perceived well-being. These findings suggest that carers who volunteer for emotional support roles are resilient and are at little psychological risk from volunteering.
authors.affiliation: Research and Development Department, North East London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.|Research Department of Clinical, Educational, and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Georgina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Charlesworth
authors.affiliation: Research and Development Department, North East London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.|Research Department of Clinical, Educational, and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: James B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Sinclair
authors.affiliation: Research and Development Department, North East London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brooks
authors.affiliation: Research and Development Department, North East London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
authors.forename: Theresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.affiliation: Dementia Advisory Service, Age Concern Havering, Romford, UK.
authors.forename: Shaheen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.affiliation: School of Allied Health Professions, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Poland
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003704:Dementia; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008131:London; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010379:Peer Group; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014838:Volunteers / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: caregiver; carer; dementia; peer support; volunteer