Peer mentoring for eating disorders: results from the evaluation of a pilot program.
| Title: | Peer mentoring for eating disorders: results from the evaluation of a pilot program. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Beveridge J; Eating Disorders Victoria, Melbourne, VIC Australia.; Phillipou A; 2Centre for Mental Health, Swinburne University of Technology, PO Box 218, Hawthorn, VIC 3122 Australia.; 3Department of Psychiatry, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC Australia.; 4Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC Australia.; 5Department of Mental Health, Austin Health, Melbourne, VIC Australia.; Jenkins Z; 3Department of Psychiatry, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC Australia.; 4Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC Australia.; Newton R; 6Peninsula Mental Health Service, Peninsula Health, Melbourne, VIC Australia.; 7Department of Psychiatry, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC Australia.; Brennan L; 8School of Behavioural and Health Science, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, VIC Australia.; Centre for Eating, Weight and Body Image, Melbourne, VIC Australia.; Hanly F; 8School of Behavioural and Health Science, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, VIC Australia.; Torrens-Witherow B; 8School of Behavioural and Health Science, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, VIC Australia.; Warren N; 10School of Social Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC Australia.; Edwards K; Eating Disorders Victoria, Melbourne, VIC Australia.; Castle D; 3Department of Psychiatry, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC Australia.; 4Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC Australia. |
| Source: | Journal of eating disorders [J Eat Disord] 2019 Jun 03; Vol. 7, pp. 13. Date of Electronic Publication: 2019 Jun 03 (Print Publication: 2019). |
| Publication Type: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: BioMed Central Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 101610672 Publication Model: eCollection Cited Medium: Print ISSN: 2050-2974 (Print) Linking ISSN: 20502974 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Eat Disord Subsets: PubMed not MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Original Publication: London : BioMed Central, 2013- |
| Abstract: | Background: Eating disorders (EDs) are serious psychiatric illnesses that have high rates of morbidity and mortality, and low long-term recovery rates. Peer mentor programs (PMPs) have been associated with reduced psychiatric hospitalisation and shorter lengths of stay for those with other severe mental illnesses. The present study evaluated the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a PMP for individuals with EDs in improving symptomatology and quality of life.; Methods: Thirty mentees and seventeen mentors were recruited. The PMP involved thirteen sessions over 6 months. Participants completed measures assessing ED symptomatology, quality of life (QoL), mood and perceived disability. Changes in symptomatology before and after the PMP were tested by Wilcoxon signed rank tests. Semi-structured interviews were conducted for qualitative evaluation of the PMP.; Results: The program was deemed to have moderate feasibility with eight of 30 mentees, and two of 17 mentors withdrawing. Completion rates ranged from 2 to 16 sessions, and between 3 and 45 weeks. Mentees demonstrated improvements in body mass index, QoL, ED symptomatology, mood (depression, anxiety and tension/stress) and perceived disability from pre- to post-program. Mentors demonstrated significant increases in ED symptomatology, but no worsening of QoL, mood or perceived disability. Qualitative findings from both mentees and mentors were positive: emergent themes included hope for recovery, a sense of agency and inspiration gained from interaction with someone with lived experience of an ED.; Conclusions: This pilot study suggests feasibility of the PMP for individuals with EDs. Mentees demonstrated improvements in ED symptomatology, QoL, mood and perceived disability. However, the increase in ED symptomatology reported by the mentors over the PMP highlights potential risks and the need for thorough monitoring while preliminary evaluation is undertaken. The mentoring relationship was a positive experience for both mentees and mentors, instilling an increased hope for recovery in mentees and an opportunity for mentors to reflect on their own recovery with increased confidence. The novel relationship formed throughout mentorship highlights a potential gap in current clinical support services, which warrants further exploration within a controlled trial.; Trial Registration: Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registration Number: ACTRN12617001412325. Retrospectively registered: 05/10/2017. Date of first enrolment: 20/01/2017. https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=373741&isReview=true. |
| Competing Interests: | Competing interestsProf Castle reports grants and/or personal fees from Eli Lilly, Janssen-Cilag, Roche, Allergen, Bristol-Myer Squibb, Pfizer, Lundbeck, AstraZeneca, Hospira, Organon, Sanofi-Aventis, Wyeth and Servier, during the conduct of the study and outside the submitted work. All other authors report no competing interests. |
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| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: Eating disorders; Peer mentoring; Peer work; Quality of life; Treatment |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20190608 Latest Revision: 20220408 |
| Update Code: | 20260130 |
| PubMed Central ID: | PMC6545742 |
| DOI: | 10.1186/s40337-019-0245-3 |
| PMID: | 31171969 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
Journal Article