Experience of Peer Supporters for Patients with Schizophrenia

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand the experience of peer supporters for patients with schizophrenia and identify the meanings of their experiences.Methods: Eleven participants were included in this study. Giorgi’s phenomenological research methodology was used. The data were collected between August, 2022 and January, 2023 through in-depth individual interviews.Results: Four clusters of themes were identified. “Overcoming fear and managing one’s own life”, “A lot of mountains to overcome, but I'm going over them”, “A confident appearance in the world”, and “Being part of the treatment team”.Conclusion: Individuals with schizophrenia and peer supporters should be integrated into the treatment team by implementing appropriate policies. Education programs should also be provided accordingly. In addition, it is very important to develop a program that can train peer supporters among schizophrenic patients and expand patient management services that can help them recover from the disorder. These efforts will help patients with schizophrenia achieve vocational and social rehabilitation.