Process of giving and receiving help, when people share their experiences with stressful situations, making social connection based on principles of respect, mutual responsibility and trustiness.
Published in Chapter:
Digital Peer Support for People With Severe Mental Illness: Key Concepts and Findings Overview
Mafalda da Silva Bento (Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal), Felipe Natan Alves Barbosa Carvalho (Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal), Inês Beatriz Antunes (Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal), and Giselle Carpi Olmo (Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal)
Copyright: © 2022
|Pages: 21
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-7998-8634-1.ch004
Abstract
The literature has recognized peer support as a fundamental part of the recovery process for people with severe mental illness (SMI). These populations frequently experience barriers related to (self)stigmatization, social relationship, poor friendship quality, ostracism, isolation, and fear of being rejected or embarrassed. Scientific research suggests those individuals are more willing to share personal and sensitive details through digital technologies, building friendships and using the internet to access health information rather than their peers who do not experience SMI. The purpose of this chapter is to explore the digital-based peer programs and to analyze scientific evidence behind the alternative paradigm, related concepts, intervention designs, and results.