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Open Access

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the use of lived experience research in peer work.

Design/methodology/approach

A suite of user-friendly and engaging lived experience research resources was introduced to consumers by peer workers. In-depth interviews were conducted with 33 consumer participants and five peer workers about their experiences. The data were analysed using qualitative content analysis.

Findings

The role of the peer workers appeared critical in ensuring that participants, despite their varied needs, preferences and backgrounds, derived optimum benefit from each resource. Features in resource delivery that promoted a positive experience included presenting the resources in the context of an existing relationship, providing clear explanations, going through resources together, encouraging reflection, taking enough time; and flexible delivery. Peer workers viewed the resources as potentially useful in their everyday peer work and as a valuable addition to their peer work toolkit.

Practical implications

The benefit of lived experience research to consumers is likely to be optimised by supportive and thoughtful delivery of the resources. Peer workers have the skills and are in an ideal position to do this. Bringing lived experience research to consumers provides peer workers with a potentially unique and helpful approach for supporting and promoting recovery and is congruent with their overall practice.

Originality/value

Lived experience research has the potential to benefit consumers directly but is rarely brought to their attention. This paper is the first to examine the potential role of peer workers in introducing learnings from lived experience research to consumers.

Details

The Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice, vol. 17 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1755-6228

Keywords

Abstract

Details

The Emerald Handbook of Work, Workplaces and Disruptive Issues in HRM
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80071-780-0

Book part
Publication date: 22 April 2013

Gayathri Wijesinghe

The focus of this chapter is firstly, to introduce the theoretical framework of an expressive approach that is suitable to research workerslived experience and secondly, to…

Abstract

The focus of this chapter is firstly, to introduce the theoretical framework of an expressive approach that is suitable to research workerslived experience and secondly, to demonstrate through a practical example how this approach can be used to uncover ethical/moral concerns. In hospitality and tourism, research on ethics is still evolving; hence explorations of workerslived experience in search of ethical/moral concerns are limited. Perspectives of all stakeholders’ in the production and consumption of hospitality and tourism are necessary to advance knowledge in the field and strengthen the practice and pedagogy; but whilst representations of customers’ and managers’ perspectives abound that of workers are limited. Also, research approaches suitable to study lived experience are under explored. The expressive approach introduced herein draws on the philosophical tenets of phenomenology to portray the lived quality of the experience and hermeneutics to uncover its meanings and significance. This approach can textually expresses and evoke the lived quality of an experience using stories, poetry and metaphor. Its ability to evoke empathy through these media can be a powerful tool to persuade policy makers to care and attend to prevailing ethical/moral issues. The chapter begins by reviewing research into ethics in the context of hospitality and tourism practice and discussing the paucity of research representing women receptionists’ lived experiences concerning moral issues. It introduces an expressive research approach and provides a practical application of this approach in hospitality receptionists’ work. The chapter concludes by highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of the expressive approach.

Article
Publication date: 9 December 2011

Clio Berry, Mark I. Hayward and Ruth Chandler

The integration of peer support workers with lived experience of mental health problems into existing mental health services has been found beneficial in some ways. However, some…

773

Abstract

Purpose

The integration of peer support workers with lived experience of mental health problems into existing mental health services has been found beneficial in some ways. However, some peer support workers have experienced unique challenges in terms of role confusion and limited opportunities for networking and support. Qualitative research and evaluation regarding peer support worker integration is limited. This paper aims to address this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The current paper presents a qualitative evaluation of the experiences of two peer support specialist (PSS) workers and their managers within one UK mental health trust. The PSS workers and managers were interviewed individually using a semi‐structured format. Thematic analysis was applied to the interview transcripts.

Findings

In agreement with prior research and evaluation, positive experiences and challenges were identified in relation to PSS employment, both for PSS workers and their teams. Overarching themes concern the PSS worker as “other”, the PSS worker as a “change agent”, and “readiness for PSS worker employment”.

Originality/value

The evaluation is limited by the small sample size but the findings could be used to inform the integration of PSS workers into other existing services. This evaluation begins to untangle some of the tensions around the integration process. Strategies to support PSS integration based on the recommendations of participants and the findings of the current evaluation are presented.

Details

Journal of Public Mental Health, vol. 10 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-5729

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 March 2023

Kristina Brenisin, Mc Stephen Padilla and Kieran Breen

Transition from inpatient mental health care to community living can be very difficult, as people are at an increased risk of suicide, self-harm and ultimately readmission into…

Abstract

Purpose

Transition from inpatient mental health care to community living can be very difficult, as people are at an increased risk of suicide, self-harm and ultimately readmission into hospital. There is little research conducted exploring peer support workers’ (PSWs) lived experiences that could provide insight into the key transitions of care, particularly the support required after discharge from inpatient mental health care. The purpose of this paper is thus to provide a particular insight into what it feels like being discharged from psychiatric care from a PSW’s perspective, how may support be improved post-discharge and what factors might impact the potential for readmission into inpatient care.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative, phenomenological approach was adopted to explore and describe PSWs’ lived experiences of transitioning from psychiatric care. Four PSWs who were employed by a UK secure mental health facility were recruited. PSW is a non-clinical role with their main duty to support patients, and they were considered for this type of the study for their experience in negotiating the discharge process to better carry out their job as a PSW.

Findings

After being discharged from psychiatric care, PSWs experienced issues that had either a negative impact on their mental wellbeing or even resulted in their readmission back into inpatient psychiatric care. This study identified three inter-related recurrent themes – continuity of support, having options and realisation, all concerning difficulties in adjusting to independent community life following discharge. The findings of the study highlighted the importance of ensuring that service users should be actively involved in their discharge planning, and the use of effective post-discharge planning processes should be used as a crucial step to avoid readmission.

Research limitations/implications

A deeper insight into the factors that impact on readmission to secure care is needed. The active involvement of service users in effective pre- and post-discharge planning is crucial to avoid readmission.

Practical implications

Mental health professionals should consider developing more effective discharge interventions in collaboration with service users; inpatient services should consider creating more effective post-discharge information care and support packages. Their lived experience empowers PSWs to play a key role in guiding patients in the discharge process.

Originality/value

This is the first study, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, to explore what it feels like being discharged from inpatient mental health care by interviewing PSWs employed at a forensic mental health hospital by adopting a phenomenological approach. This paper offers a deeper insight into the transition process and explores in detail what support is needed post discharge to avoid potential readmission from PSWs’ perspectives.

Details

The Journal of Forensic Practice, vol. 25 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2050-8794

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 September 2017

Christopher A. Griffiths and Ella Hancock-Johnson

The purpose of this paper is to report the experience and impact of paid staff who are employed to use their lived experience of mental health issues and service use within a…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report the experience and impact of paid staff who are employed to use their lived experience of mental health issues and service use within a secure mental health provider.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis was employed.

Findings

Results from this study suggest that employing lived experience workers (LEWs) in secure mental health settings is valuable to clinical staff, service users, the employing organisation and LEWs themselves. Findings emphasised the importance of support for LEWs to enable them to fulfil their role and maintain wellbeing, and the need to consider LEWs career progression within and beyond the role.

Research limitations/implications

This study had a small sample size.

Practical implications

There is evidence to support LEWs in secure mental health settings and requirement for further understanding of their work in this environment. Specific recommendations include the need for training for clinical staff about the role of LEWs, specific LEWs role training, and regular supervision and mental health support for LEWs.

Originality/value

This is the first paper reporting the experience and impact of LEWs in a UK secure mental health service.

Details

The Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice, vol. 12 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1755-6228

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 September 2018

Mark Butler, Michael Savic, David William Best, Victoria Manning, Katherine L. Mills and Dan I. Lubman

The purpose of this paper is to examine the strategies utilised to facilitate the wellbeing of workers of an alcohol and other drug (AOD) therapeutic community (TC)

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the strategies utilised to facilitate the wellbeing of workers of an alcohol and other drug (AOD) therapeutic community (TC)

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reports on the findings of a qualitative study that involved in-depth interviews with 11 workers from an Australian AOD TC organisation that provides both a residential TC program and an outreach program. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis

Findings

Three main interconnected themes emerged through analysis of the data: the challenges of working in an AOD TC organisation, including vicarious trauma, the isolation and safety of outreach workers and a lack of connection between teams; individual strategies for coping and facilitating wellbeing, such as family, friend and partner support and self-care practices; organisational facilitators of worker wellbeing, including staff supervision, employment conditions and the ability to communicate openly about stress. The analysis also revealed cross-cutting themes including the unique challenges and wellbeing support needs of outreach and lived experience workers.

Research limitations/implications

Rather than just preventing burnout, AOD TC organisations can also play a role in facilitating worker wellbeing.

Practical implications

This paper discusses a number of practical suggestions and indicates that additional strategies targeted at “at risk” teams or groups of workers may be needed alongside organisation-wide strategies.

Originality/value

This paper provides a novel and in-depth analysis of strategies to facilitate TC worker wellbeing and has implications for TC staff, managers and researchers.

Details

Therapeutic Communities: The International Journal of Therapeutic Communities, vol. 39 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0964-1866

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 November 2020

Angus J. Duff and Scott B. Rankin

The purpose of this study is to understand the lived experience of workers who live in vans to explore how work and non-work interact when one's living environment is mobile.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to understand the lived experience of workers who live in vans to explore how work and non-work interact when one's living environment is mobile.

Design/methodology/approach

In this qualitative study, semi-structured interviews were carried out with 18 participants. Thematic analysis of interview transcripts, coded while listening to each interview recording, provided a rich account of the interaction of work and non-work life domains.

Findings

Several themes were identified, including seeing the van as a home, hidden or disclosed identity stemming from living in a van, financial freedom, career freedom and work/non-work synchronization. Overall, findings suggest that flexible home arrangements, the relocation of one's home to adapt to work, aligned work and non-work domains to positively impact their overall work and non-work satisfaction, providing career freedom and expanded career opportunities.

Research limitations/implications

The understanding of workers who live in vans broadens one’s understanding of mobile work and the work/non-work interface, providing insight into the dual alignment of work and home to accommodate each other, which the authors term work/non-work synchronization.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to consider van living from a work and career perspective and for the first time conceptualizes the notion of flexible home arrangements.

Details

Career Development International, vol. 25 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1362-0436

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 August 2023

Talita Cristiele Gomes Vieira, Luana Alves Ciriaco, Silvana Silva Santos, Gabriel Lucas de Souza and Polibio José de Campos Souza

This article aims to analyze the incorporation of harm reduction health workers with lived experience in all services focused on the care for drug users in Belo Horizonte’s mental…

Abstract

Purpose

This article aims to analyze the incorporation of harm reduction health workers with lived experience in all services focused on the care for drug users in Belo Horizonte’s mental health network, one of the largest Brazilian Psychosocial Care Networks (Rede de Atenção Psicossocial [RAPS]), and reports the findings of a qualitative study on the life stories, recovery journeys and the professional practice of harm reducers in Belo Horizonte.

Design/methodology/approach

For the development of this research, the authors chose the following methodological tools: documentary research; follow-up of harm reduction interventions; access to harm reducers’ field diaries; joint writing of the life stories of the harm reducers.

Findings

It indicates that these professionals, as harm reducers empowered by their life experience, have developed various elements and active ingredients of peer support. Their practices and the results of their actions have consolidated their inclusion as Belo Horizonte RAPS’ health workers and highlight that recovery-oriented care and peer support are a real possibility in Brazil.

Originality/value

In this research, harm reducers are coauthors and report their own life experience. In this article, they also talk about the impact of this experience on their work and on the lives of users of mental health services, emphasizing the protagonism and exercise of citizenship by harm reducers.

Details

Journal of Public Mental Health, vol. 22 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-5729

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 10 October 2022

Obafemi Onyedikachi Olekanma

This chapter presents the key results of a research project that explored managing service productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa through the lens of lived experiences of bank…

Abstract

This chapter presents the key results of a research project that explored managing service productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa through the lens of lived experiences of bank executives employed as ‘knowledge workers’ in the Nigerian banking sector. The study adopted a qualitative phenomenological research design. Data was gathered from 16 Nigerian top bank executives purposively selected using semi-structured face-to-face interviews. Trans Positional Cognition Approach (TPCA), a new phenomenological research method, was used to analyse the data gathered. The study data analysis yielded five themes; micromanagement practices, use of dysfunctional strategies to drive service operations, deposit mobilisation target as a productivity measure, managerial indifference to potential nescience economy issues and master-servant (power culture) strategy, which epitomises fundamental managerial approaches adopted in the sector. The study identified critical service productivity management issues grounded in reality that influence the capability and potentiality of the study knowledge workers. It also contributes the novel, ‘official knowledge worker lived experience of service productivity model’ for use by decision-makers in the banking sector. Thus, it sets an agenda for these ‘knowledge workers’ line managers’ and bank regulators in the research setting. The study extended the viable system model by applying it in this phenomenological enquiry and using it to explain/deepen our understanding of the findings that emerged. The output of this work contributes to scholarly knowledge on service productivity management from the sub-Saharan African banks’ perspective. It can be generalisable in countries with similar financial and economic characteristics like the research setting.

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