Background

Peer support groups can be a way to obtain support, problem solve, and widen social networks. However, there has been no systematic literature review examining the evidence for the use of peer support groups after an acquired brain injury (ABI).

Objective

This review sought to systematically evaluate the evidence for (1) the psychosocial effectiveness, and (2) the experience of peer support groups in adults who had experienced ABI’s.

Methods

The systematic literature search was conducted across the following four databases: PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, MEDLINE, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) in October 2019. The mixed methods appraisal tool was used to examine the quality of the research.

Results

13 papers were included in this review. Limited evidence was found for the psychosocial effectiveness of peer support groups in ABI, although the experience of partaking in a peer support group was largely found to be positive. The benefits and helping factors of taking part in a peer support group can be summarized as: being connected, interacting with others, and providing and receiving support.

Conclusions

The findings of this review suggest that peer support groups could be a promising intervention to support individuals and promote adjustment following an ABI.

中文翻译：

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获得性脑损伤后的同伴支持小组：系统评价。

背景

同行支持小组可以成为获得支持，解决问题和扩大社交网络的一种方式。但是，尚无系统的文献综述来检查获得性脑损伤（ABI）后使用同伴支持小组的证据。

目的

这项审查试图系统地评估（1）心理社会有效性和（2）经历过ABI的成年人的同伴支持小组的经验的证据。

方法

在2019年10月对以下四个数据库进行了系统的文献检索：PsycINFO，PsycARTICLES，MEDLINE和《护理和专职健康文献累积索引》（CINAHL）。使用混合方法评估工具来检验研究质量。

结果

该评价纳入13篇论文。尽管在同伴支持小组中参加社交活动的经验在很大程度上被认为是积极的，但对于ABI的同伴支持小组的社会心理有效性的证据有限。参加同伴支持小组的好处和帮助因素可以概括为：建立联系，与他人互动以及提供和获得支持。

结论

这项审查的结果表明，同伴支持小组可能是有前途的干预措施，以支持个人并在ABI之后促进适应。