Peer-mentoring for first-time mothers from areas of socio-economic disadvantage: A qualitative study within a randomised controlled trial
Open accessAbstract
BACKGROUND: Non-professional involvement in delivering health and social care support in areas of socio-economic deprivation is considered important in attempting to reduce health inequalities. However, trials of peer mentoring programmes have yielded inconsistent evidence of benefit: difficulties in implementation have contributed to uncertainty regarding their efficacy. We aimed to explore difficulties encountered in conducting a randomised controlled trial of a peer-mentoring programme for first-time mothers in socially disadvantaged areas, in order to provide information relevant to future research and practice. This paper describes the experiences of lay-workers, women and health professionals involved in the trial. METHODS: Thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with women (n = 11) who were offered peer mentor support, lay-workers (n = 11) who provided mentoring and midwives (n = 2) who supervised the programme, which provided support, from first hospital antenatal visit to one year postnatal. Planned frequency of contact was two-weekly (telephone or home visit) but was tailored to individuals' needs. RESULTS: Despite lay-workers living in the same locality, they experienced difficulty initiating contact with women and this affected their morale adversely. Despite researchers' attempts to ensure that the role of the mentor was understood clearly it appeared that this was not achieved for all participants. Mentors attempted to develop peer-mentor relationships by offering friendship and sharing personal experiences, which was appreciated by women. Mentors reported difficulties developing relationships with those who lacked interest in the programme. External influences, including family and friends, could prevent or facilitate mentoring. Time constraints in reconciling flexible mentoring arrangements with demands of other commitments posed major personal difficulties for lay-workers. CONCLUSION: Difficulties in initiating contact, developing peer-mentor relationships and time constraints pose challenges to delivering lay-worker peer support. In developing such programmes, awareness of potential difficulties and of how professional support may help resolve these should improve uptake and optimise evaluation of their effectiveness. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN55055030.
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Other studies found that peers offered friendship, shared personal experience, used empathic skills to build rapport, and were perceived as respected members of the community.
“This is consistent with findings from other studies in which peers offered friendship, shared personal experience [42], and used empathic skills to build rapport [28, 43, 44] and were perceived respected members of the community [45].”
From Barefoot therapists: barriers and facilitators to delivering maternal mental health care through peer volunteers in Pakistan: a qualitative study (2016) · cites this paper as [42]
In the absence of such a partnership, a peer-mentoring programme in the UK found PVs experiencing problems in engaging the mothers despite being local.
“In the absence of such a partnership, a peer-mentoring programme in the UK found PVs experiencing problems in engaging the mothers despite being local [42].”
From Barefoot therapists: barriers and facilitators to delivering maternal mental health care through peer volunteers in Pakistan: a qualitative study (2016) · cites this paper as [42]
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- Authors
- Murphy, C. A., Cupples, M. E., Percy, A., Halliday, H. L., & Stewart, M. C.
- Affiliations
- Queen's University Belfast (GB)
- Royal Victoria Hospital (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Cupples, Margaret E
- Venue
- BMC Health Services Research
- Published
- 2008-02-27
- Volume
- 8
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 46-46
- ISSN
- 1472-6963 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC2291460
- OpenAlex
- W2090800279
- Cited by
- 50
- References
- 22
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 3
- FWCI
- 5.14
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- BMC Health Services Research (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Public Health Agency (RRG/3247/05)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Mental Health and Patient Involvement
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Community Health and Development
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Maternal and Neonatal Healthcare
- Keywords
- peer mentoring, primiparous women, socioeconomic deprivation, lay workers, health disparities, midwives, postpartum support, prenatal care, time constraints
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Female, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Mentors, Midwifery, Peer Group, Poverty Areas, Pregnancy, Surveys and Questionnaires
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