"Weird duality": learning from the experiences of students in university peer support roles during the COVID-19 pandemic.
J Am Coll Health
; : 1-8, 2023 Oct 19.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37856416
ABSTRACT
Objectives:
To explore university student peer supporter experiences in the pandemic context and with a specific focus on student mental health.Participants:
The sample comprised 13 students from various peer support programs, providing academic, social and/or emotional support at a South-East England university.Methods:
A two-phase qualitative design involved individual interviews and focus groups, followed by participant validation with a subset of participants.Results:
Peer supporters identified an increased need peri-pandemic for mental health support. The accessibility was aided by students perceiving peer supporters to be approachable, but was undermined by concerns about peers' credibility. Supporter-supportee relationships were characterized by intimacy and mutuality, which were seen as conducive to authenticity, but caused challenges with respect to boundaries.Conclusions:
Peer support is a complex activity, characterized by a sense of multiplicity and mutuality. Responsive supervision and dedicated training are necessary to manage these complexities amidst elevated student mental health needs.
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2023
Tipo de documento:
Article