Abstract
Purpose: Our study identified the kinds of peer support exchanged in support groups by family members of patients with mental disabilities, in order to assist these groups' activities and increase such support. Subjects and Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 7 subjects attending support groups for people with mentally-disabled family members, to elucidate the kinds of peer support they received from, and offered to, other members in their group. Their interview responses were structured according to qualitative inductive analysis. Results: Peer support fell into the following six categories: "Expression of repressed feelings", "Friendly understanding/relating to others with similar problems", "Sharing of experience-based techniques and knowledge", "Opportunity to spend time with other non-disabled people", "Seeing others successfully coping with similar situations", and "Possibility of help from group members if one's family member's illness suddenly worsens." Discussion: The support received by the subjects derived particularly from their peers' "warm acceptance" and "experienced-based advice", as well as the subjects' "opportunity to care for themselves also" and their "knowledge that actual assistance was available". Previously they had felt isolated with their problem, but now felt more relaxed and relieved, and able to return to caring for their disabled family member with renewed energy and confidence. To increase peer support offered in such groups, their members could therefore be made more aware of the value of various kinds of such support, and more opportunities provided for open interaction, relationship-formation and bonds of trust between these groups' members.
