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BACKGROUND: Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Latinxs experience a longer duration of untreated depression and anxiety. LEP Latinxs have difficulty accessing mental healthcare due to insufficient Spanish-speaking behavioral/mental health clinicians to meet demand. These under-resourced healthcare systems are less likely to be the site for the implementation of innovations. Digital interventions can provide an effective option for overcoming these barriers; yet, when digital evidence-based treatments are available, uptake and engagement is often low. This manuscript presents the protocol for the SUPERA (SUpport from PEeRs to expand Access) study which will evaluate the implementation of an evidence-based, Spanish language, digital cognitive-behavioral therapy (dCBT) intervention (i.e., SilverCloud) in safety-net primary care clinics for LEP Latinx patients with depression or anxiety. METHODS: We will conduct an effectiveness-implementation hybrid trial (Type 2) design comparing engagement and clinical outcomes in two modalities of dCBT delivery (peer-supported vs. unsupported). We will also compare provider-level outreach (using a clinic patient registry) versus inreach (traditional provider referral) to compare rates of initiation, completion, and cost. Participants will be 426 LEP Latinx adults ≥18 years of age, PHQ-9 ≥ 10 or GAD-7 ≥ 8, with access to the internet via smartphone, and not currently receiving individual psychotherapy. We will collect baseline, post-intervention (8 weeks), and follow up (3 months) data. CONCLUSION: The long-term goal of this research is to aid in the implementation of digital mental health interventions that can be sustainably implemented in low-resourced settings, while reducing the reliance on professionals, overcoming workforce deficits, and increasing relevance for diverse populations.

Background Globally, many people with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are marginalized and have very limited access to traditional healthcare services, including HCV testing and treatment. Models of care attuned to the needs of the marginalized population at risk are needed. This study aimed to evaluate the testing and treatment uptake of a community-based, peer-led model of care offering point-of-care testing. Methods In this interventional cohort study, people at risk of HCV infection were recruited between May 2019 and December 2021 at a community-based, peer-led mobile clinic. During a single visit, participants were offered a point-of-care HCV antibody test, and, if antibodies were detected, an additional RNA test. Participants with detectable HCV RNA were linked with peer-assisted referral to a ‘fast-track’ clinic at a major hospital. The primary outcomes were the number of people engaged in testing and the proportion who initiated treatment and achieved a sustained virologic response (SVR). Results We tested 728 individuals. Of those, 208 (29%) were positive for HCV antibodies, and 114 (15%) were HCV RNA detectable. Of the 114, 80 (70%) initiated treatment, and 79 (99%) achieved SVR. The main reason for not initiating treatment was non-Danish citizenship with no legal access to health care. Conclusion This study found that a peer-led point-of-care service is a model of care that can engage marginalized groups in HCV testing and linkage to treatment., Background: Globally, many people with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are marginalized and have very limited access to traditional healthcare services, including HCV testing and treatment. Models of care attuned to the needs of the marginalized population at risk are needed. This study aimed to evaluate the testing and treatment uptake of a community-based, peer-led model of care offering point-of-care testing. Methods: In this interventional cohort study, people at risk of HCV infection were recruited between May 2019 and December 2021 at a community-based, peer-led mobile clinic. During a single visit, participants were offered a point-of-care HCV antibody test, and, if antibodies were detected, an additional RNA test. Participants with detectable HCV RNA were linked with peer-assisted referral to a ‘fast-track’ clinic at a major hospital. The primary outcomes were the number of people engaged in testing and the proportion who initiated treatment and achieved a sustained virologic response (SVR). Results: We tested 728 individuals. Of those, 208 (29%) were positive for HCV antibodies, and 114 (15%) were HCV RNA detectable. Of the 114, 80 (70%) initiated treatment, and 79 (99%) achieved SVR. The main reason for not initiating treatment was non-Danish citizenship with no legal access to health care. Conclusion: This study found that a peer-led point-of-care service is a model of care that can engage marginalized groups in HCV testing and linkage to treatment.

This thesis aims to explore how phenomenological philosophy may contribute to the conception of interpersonal understanding in the context of social work practice. The thesis consists of an extended introduction and four original papers, investigating modalities of interpersonal understanding in relation to three different subjects, namely empathy, stigmatization, and peer-support. The thesis sets out from the position that the phenomenology of interpersonal understanding sets up an ambiguity problematizing the notion that interpersonal understanding can be approached objectively, and as a tool or goal for the professional social worker. According to phenomenological thought, interpersonal understanding is disclosed as already being there in our relationships to other people when we turn to reflect on and describe these relationships. Whereas this insight presents a challenge to the course of applying phenomenology in social work research, there is also evidence in the phenomenological literature for the view that the phenomenological insight about the pre-reflective character of social life is implied in everyday experiences; thus, it is an insight not reserved for philosophy alone. One of the central findings of the thesis is that the phenomenological distinction between act and object clarifies how interpersonal understanding is enacted in interpersonal relationships in the context of social work practice. Such an enactment affords a critical vantage point for revealing objectivist approaches to interpersonal understanding in social work research. With a wider outlook towards human care work, I make the suggestion that the phenomenology of interpersonal understanding may articulate and value a dimension of uncertainty inherent in professional judgment in face-to-face encounters, as well as elucidate some of the impacts of technicalization of human care work.

Background Globally, many people with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are marginalized and have very limited access to traditional healthcare services, including HCV testing and treatment. Models of care attuned to the needs of the marginalized population at risk are needed. This study aimed to evaluate the testing and treatment uptake of a community-based, peer-led model of care offering point-of-care testing. Methods In this interventional cohort study, people at risk of HCV infection were recruited between May 2019 and December 2021 at a community-based, peer-led mobile clinic. During a single visit, participants were offered a point-of-care HCV antibody test, and, if antibodies were detected, an additional RNA test. Participants with detectable HCV RNA were linked with peer-assisted referral to a ‘fast-track’ clinic at a major hospital. The primary outcomes were the number of people engaged in testing and the proportion who initiated treatment and achieved a sustained virologic response (SVR). Results We tested 728 individuals. Of those, 208 (29%) were positive for HCV antibodies, and 114 (15%) were HCV RNA detectable. Of the 114, 80 (70%) initiated treatment, and 79 (99%) achieved SVR. The main reason for not initiating treatment was non-Danish citizenship with no legal access to health care. Conclusion This study found that a peer-led point-of-care service is a model of care that can engage marginalized groups in HCV testing and linkage to treatment., Background: Globally, many people with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are marginalized and have very limited access to traditional healthcare services, including HCV testing and treatment. Models of care attuned to the needs of the marginalized population at risk are needed. This study aimed to evaluate the testing and treatment uptake of a community-based, peer-led model of care offering point-of-care testing. Methods: In this interventional cohort study, people at risk of HCV infection were recruited between May 2019 and December 2021 at a community-based, peer-led mobile clinic. During a single visit, participants were offered a point-of-care HCV antibody test, and, if antibodies were detected, an additional RNA test. Participants with detectable HCV RNA were linked with peer-assisted referral to a ‘fast-track’ clinic at a major hospital. The primary outcomes were the number of people engaged in testing and the proportion who initiated treatment and achieved a sustained virologic response (SVR). Results: We tested 728 individuals. Of those, 208 (29%) were positive for HCV antibodies, and 114 (15%) were HCV RNA detectable. Of the 114, 80 (70%) initiated treatment, and 79 (99%) achieved SVR. The main reason for not initiating treatment was non-Danish citizenship with no legal access to health care. Conclusion: This study found that a peer-led point-of-care service is a model of care that can engage marginalized groups in HCV testing and linkage to treatment.

Introduction: Interventions that support patients to handle the emotional and medical aspects of a long-term health condition is important. One way is to use peer-support groups, to help patients solving problems, increasing their knowledge and making decisions. Aim: was to investigate the impact on shared decision-making, empowerment and coping after participation in group-learning sessions for patients with long-term conditions (N = 42). Design: An intervention following a health education programme based on group-learning sessions was established. Eight different programmes were held in five different departments at a regional county hospital in Sweden. Methods: Questionnaires were analysed using paired-sample t-test. Results: Results showed that patients might have better opportunities to be more active during their patient encounter after attending the group learning sessions. Interventions directed to patient activation may be one key in future healthcare management, especially concerning long-term conditions. Empowering patients is central in healthcare, and using different approaches is important. What does this paper contribute to the wider global clinical community? Patients with long-term conditions should be encouraged to share their knowledge to others, which can give support in managing their disease Group-learning sessions can add a perspective of patients' lived knowledge which is one of the key aspects concerning treatment of patients with long-term conditions

Syftet med studien är att undersöka hur influencers porträtterar psykisk ohälsa på Instagram i text och bild. Metoden är en digital etnografi, med en tematisk analys. Datamaterialet består av sexinfluencer och 41 Instagram-inlägg. Studiens resultat visar att influencer använder sig av olika taktiker för att genereraföljare och ekonomisk vinst i samtalet om psykisk ohälsa. Psykisk ohälsa har både visat sig idenna studie som ett sätt att skapa intima band med sina följare genom att samtala om sina erfarenheter. Men även ett sätt att skapa en förtroende basis med sina följare för att de ska vara lojala nog att köpa sådant som influencers marknadsför. Arbetet utförs genom känsloarbete och intrycksstyrning. Ett arbete för att få den främre regionen att framstå som den bakre, för att på så sätt framställa sig själv som äkta.

Syftet med studien är att undersöka hur influencers porträtterar psykisk ohälsa på Instagram i text och bild. Metoden är en digital etnografi, med en tematisk analys. Datamaterialet består av sexinfluencer och 41 Instagram-inlägg. Studiens resultat visar att influencer använder sig av olika taktiker för att genereraföljare och ekonomisk vinst i samtalet om psykisk ohälsa. Psykisk ohälsa har både visat sig idenna studie som ett sätt att skapa intima band med sina följare genom att samtala om sina erfarenheter. Men även ett sätt att skapa en förtroende basis med sina följare för att de ska vara lojala nog att köpa sådant som influencers marknadsför. Arbetet utförs genom känsloarbete och intrycksstyrning. Ett arbete för att få den främre regionen att framstå som den bakre, för att på så sätt framställa sig själv som äkta.

Aufbauend auf der Evaluierung des Projekts „Time4Friends“ des österreichischen Roten Kreuzes wurde der Frage nachgegangen, ob niederschwellige peergestützte Beratungsangebote für Jugendliche sinnvoll sind und in welcher Form diese geführt werden sollten, um die Zielgruppen optimal zu erreichen. Hierzu wurden zwei Fokusgruppen mit den Koordinatoren und Peers des Projekts durchgeführt, die Zielsetzungen durch die Projektleitung erfasst und die Inhalte von 50 randomisiert ausgewählten Chats erhoben und qualitativ ausgewertet. Das Projekt scheint den Peers ein sinnvolles Engagement zu bieten, welches sie nicht belastet, sondern mit hilfreichen Kompetenzen ausstattet. Den ratsuchenden Jugendlichen wird zeitgleich eine niederschwellige Anlaufstelle auf freundschaftlicher Basis für alltägliche Probleme geboten. Hierbei entsprechen Kommunikationskanäle über mobile Endgeräte und das Internet – insbesondere die App WhatsApp, wie sie im Projekt verwendet wird – den Interessen der Zielgruppe. Peer-Projekte bieten dabei den Vorteil, dass das Vertrauen schneller aufgebaut und Inhalte eher angenommen werden als in hierarchischen Kommunikationsstrukturen. Damit liefern peergestützte Interventionen einen Mehrwert gegenüber herkömmlichen Beratungsangeboten. Zukünftig ist eine regelmäßige Evaluierung des Kanals, der Belastung und der Sinnhaftigkeit nötig, um das Projekt dynamisch anzupassen. Die Peer-Zahl scheint das größte Problem darzustellen, welchem vor allem durch mehr Bekanntheit entgegengewirkt werden kann., eingereicht von Lisa-Marie Spitzenberger, B.Sc., Masterarbeit Universität Innsbruck 2020

Denna studie är en utvärdering av ett motivationsprojekt, vid namn motivationsgruppen, inom psykiatrisk öppenvård i Västerbottens län. Motivationsgruppens mål var att öka livskvalitén för patienter med långvarig psykisk ohälsa med gruppmotiverande samtal. Syfte: Syftet med föreliggande studie är att belysa gruppdeltagarnas och samtalsledarnas erfarenheter av motivationsgruppen som helhet samt MI som samtalsmetod, med tonvikt på förväntningar och utfall samt specifikt positiva och negativa upplevelser. Metod: Tio intervjuer med två samtalsledare och tre gruppdeltagare har utförts vid två tillfällen, ett frågeformulär till gruppdeltagare har skickats ut samt information om gruppens samansättning (kön, diagnos, sysselsättning etc.) har inhämtats. En innehållsanalys har utförts på det insamlade materialet. Resultat: Visar att ingen livsstilsförändring har kunnat konstateras med hjälp av motivationsgruppen. Däremot har de intervjuade gruppdeltagarna redovisat en ökad socialisering och mindre isolering. Fikastunden har presenterats som den viktigaste aspekten med motivationsgruppen. Diskussion: Det finns möjligheter till utveckling av motivationsgruppen. Gruppdeltagarnas samt motivationsgruppens syfte överensstämde inte med varandra, vilket har problematiserat förutsättningarna. De positiva effekterna som bruten isolering har redovisat är mer förenligt med peer-supportkonceptet än motiverande samtal. Mer utvärdering angående motivationsgruppen behövs för att synliggöra eventuella livsstilsförändringar sker med hjälp av gruppen.

The aim of this study is to examine which factors people with mental illness describe as contributing to their recovery process. The aim is also to examine the importance of club houses. The study is based on ten qualitative interviews from people with experience of mental illness and the empirical data was analyzed using a qualitative content analysis. The main results highlight four different facilitating factors; social network, equality, meeting other people with mental illness and individual resources and strategies. The social network was described as a prerequisite to the recovery process, but the study also shows that meeting peers with similar experiences played a key role. Being treated as an equal by professionals they came in contact with during their recovery process contributed to their own sense of self and facilitated the feeling of participation. The results also emphasize the importance of one’s own resources and strategies. By realizing what part they had played in their own recovery process it brought on a feeling of pride and achievement. The result from this study aim to provide a deeper understanding of the contributing factors in the recovery process which may have importance for social services to people with mental instabilities.

Background: In the innovative seminar "Peer-support and Patient Competence", which was conceived as a face to face course, we teach various concepts of patient competence and invite patients to report about their illness experience and peer-group activities. Method: Implementation of a face to face course into a virtual format via video conference.Result: Despite concerns regarding the sensitive topic and technical challenges, the conversion of the seminar with interactive character, which was originally designed in a face-to-face format, into a virtual one was successful. Both lecturers and participants experienced the seminar as satisfactory.Conclusion: In times of Covid-19, this virtual course experience can encourage colleagues to restructure their face to face seminars into innovative and virtual teaching formats., Hintergrund: Das thematisch innovative und in Präsenzform konzipierte Seminar "Selbsthilfe und Patient*innenkompetenz" vermittelt Konzepte der Patient*innenkompetenz, die u.a. durch die Schilderung persönlicher Krankheitserfahrung Betroffener veranschaulicht werden.Methode: Umsetzung des Präsenz-Seminars in digitale Form via Video-Konferenz.Ergebnis: Trotz Bedenken hinsichtlich der sensiblen Thematik und technischer Herausforderungen, ist die Umsetzung des ursprünglich in Präsenzform konzipierten Seminars in ein digitales Format mit interaktivem Charakter gelungen. Das Seminar wurde von Dozent*innen und Teilnehmer*innen gleichermaßen als zufriedenstellend erlebt.Schlussfolgerung: In Zeiten von Covid-19 kann diese digitale Seminarerfahrung als Ermutigung für eine umstrukturierte Lehrveranstaltung dienen.

This article investigates the process of development for a novel online peer-supported approach that enhances oral proficiency in French at an Australian university to cope with ever more complex challenges. These challenges include students with mixed ability in the same class, reduced teaching resources and student surveys identifying a lack of speaking practice affecting confidence and performance in oral assessments. A related aim of the present study was to facilitate assessment literacy of our students by encouraging them to make links between the skills practised in class and the requirements for the final oral summative assessment. Methodology draws on educational practice influenced by a social constructivist approach to develop a learning model using online peer feedback, where more advanced learners support less experienced peers outside the formal classroom. Preliminary results reveal that although the model was deemed to be ‘generally effective’ in enhancing speaking skills and developing a better understanding of assessment literacy, it needs to enable learners to build their meta-skills across the three-year degree program to be truly effective. The conclusion explores further development and expansion of the learning approach across the French undergraduate program and makes future recommendations.

This article investigates the process of development for a novel online peer-supported approach that enhances oral proficiency in French at an Australian university to cope with ever more complex challenges. These challenges include students with mixed ability in the same class, reduced teaching resources and student surveys identifying a lack of speaking practice affecting confidence and performance in oral assessments. A related aim of the present study was to facilitate assessment literacy of our students by encouraging them to make links between the skills practised in class and the requirements for the final oral summative assessment. Methodology draws on educational practice influenced by a social constructivist approach to develop a learning model using online peer feedback, where more advanced learners support less experienced peers outside the formal classroom. Preliminary results reveal that although the model was deemed to be ‘generally effective’ in enhancing speaking skills and developing a better understanding of assessment literacy, it needs to enable learners to build their meta-skills across the three-year degree program to be truly effective. The conclusion explores further development and expansion of the learning approach across the French undergraduate program and makes future recommendations.

The aim of this study is to examine which factors people with mental illness describe as contributing to their recovery process. The aim is also to examine the importance of club houses. The study is based on ten qualitative interviews from people with experience of mental illness and the empirical data was analyzed using a qualitative content analysis. The main results highlight four different facilitating factors; social network, equality, meeting other people with mental illness and individual resources and strategies. The social network was described as a prerequisite to the recovery process, but the study also shows that meeting peers with similar experiences played a key role. Being treated as an equal by professionals they came in contact with during their recovery process contributed to their own sense of self and facilitated the feeling of participation. The results also emphasize the importance of one’s own resources and strategies. By realizing what part they had played in their own recovery process it brought on a feeling of pride and achievement. The result from this study aim to provide a deeper understanding of the contributing factors in the recovery process which may have importance for social services to people with mental instabilities.

Denna studie är en utvärdering av ett motivationsprojekt, vid namn motivationsgruppen, inom psykiatrisk öppenvård i Västerbottens län. Motivationsgruppens mål var att öka livskvalitén för patienter med långvarig psykisk ohälsa med gruppmotiverande samtal. Syfte: Syftet med föreliggande studie är att belysa gruppdeltagarnas och samtalsledarnas erfarenheter av motivationsgruppen som helhet samt MI som samtalsmetod, med tonvikt på förväntningar och utfall samt specifikt positiva och negativa upplevelser. Metod: Tio intervjuer med två samtalsledare och tre gruppdeltagare har utförts vid två tillfällen, ett frågeformulär till gruppdeltagare har skickats ut samt information om gruppens samansättning (kön, diagnos, sysselsättning etc.) har inhämtats. En innehållsanalys har utförts på det insamlade materialet. Resultat: Visar att ingen livsstilsförändring har kunnat konstateras med hjälp av motivationsgruppen. Däremot har de intervjuade gruppdeltagarna redovisat en ökad socialisering och mindre isolering. Fikastunden har presenterats som den viktigaste aspekten med motivationsgruppen. Diskussion: Det finns möjligheter till utveckling av motivationsgruppen. Gruppdeltagarnas samt motivationsgruppens syfte överensstämde inte med varandra, vilket har problematiserat förutsättningarna. De positiva effekterna som bruten isolering har redovisat är mer förenligt med peer-supportkonceptet än motiverande samtal. Mer utvärdering angående motivationsgruppen behövs för att synliggöra eventuella livsstilsförändringar sker med hjälp av gruppen.

In adolescence, many physical, emotional, and cognitive changes bring along their own problems and risks. But they also offer the chance to develop new skills, including those connected with mindfulness, compassion, or generosity. Social relationships can support positive developments. Even in adolescence, family remains important, contributing to the satisfaction of basic needs. Peers can also support positive development and become particularly important in adolescence. With them, young people’s radius widens into a more comprehensive and differentiated social and physical environment. The newly acquired competences also promote the acceptance of responsibility. The social and physical environments become relevant learning fields for the integration of identity, values, and norms. Generosity as part of one’s own identity becomes a touchstone for positive development. In this paper, we discuss several forms and conditions of prosocial behavior as well as of generosity. We assign different internal conditions to “prosocial personality”, ranging from genetic or biological factors to self-efficacy. External factors for prosocial behavior and generosity are described. In everyday life, young people must feel needed and require places to show their new autonomous generosity skills. Being generous not only helps others: it also satisfies one’s own basic needs and thus contributes to positive development and well-being.

In this paper, we examine forms of communication and types of peer support that may arise in relation to mental health problems in peer-produced forums of social video comment threads. We focus specifically on how young fans of young YouTube celebrities (YouTubers) use this social media space to communicate with other YouTubers as well as with other fans about issues related to mental health. Through a semantic analysis, where topical themes in comment discussions are mapped, we address topics concerning mental health conditions in social video fandom discussions. At an overarching level, we are interested in how peer support is realized in the complex relationships between YouTubers and audience members, as well as among audience members. In our analysis, we focus on both the relationships between the individual and the collective, and between cooperation and competition in discussions. In concluding, we reflect upon what hindrances or possibilities for peer support exist in this relatively new and participatory social media setting.

In adolescence, many physical, emotional, and cognitive changes bring along their own problems and risks. But they also offer the chance to develop new skills, including those connected with mindfulness, compassion, or generosity. Social relationships can support positive developments. Even in adolescence, family remains important, contributing to the satisfaction of basic needs. Peers can also support positive development and become particularly important in adolescence. With them, young people’s radius widens into a more comprehensive and differentiated social and physical environment. The newly acquired competences also promote the acceptance of responsibility. The social and physical environments become relevant learning fields for the integration of identity, values, and norms. Generosity as part of one’s own identity becomes a touchstone for positive development. In this paper, we discuss several forms and conditions of prosocial behavior as well as of generosity. We assign different internal conditions to “prosocial personality”, ranging from genetic or biological factors to self-efficacy. External factors for prosocial behavior and generosity are described. In everyday life, young people must feel needed and require places to show their new autonomous generosity skills. Being generous not only helps others: it also satisfies one’s own basic needs and thus contributes to positive development and well-being.

Volunteer and service user organizations play an important role in order to meet the needs of marginalized people in Sweden. These organizations operate within civil society and are characterized by experiential knowledge and peer support. The purpose of this qualitative study was to gain knowledge on how a service user organization can organize their work as a means to offer support to marginalized people with experience of exclusion, addiction and homelessness. Furthermore, this study examines how a service user organization can be understood as a resistance against structures of power. Empirical data was collected with semi-structured interviews with four practitioners working in a service user organization based in Stockholm. The empirical data was interpreted and analyzed through postmodernism and resistance theory. The study reached the conclusion that according to the organization first-hand experience is fundamental in order to help marginalized people due to their possibility to identify with the practitioner. Secondly, the findings show that the practitioners had to enact as translators during meetings with clients and governmental agencies, to enable a constructive dialogue and mutual understanding. The study also displayed that the organization exercise less visible forms of ‘every day resistance’, due to their dependence upon the power which they oppose a resistance against.

Volunteer and service user organizations play an important role in order to meet the needs of marginalized people in Sweden. These organizations operate within civil society and are characterized by experiential knowledge and peer support. The purpose of this qualitative study was to gain knowledge on how a service user organization can organize their work as a means to offer support to marginalized people with experience of exclusion, addiction and homelessness. Furthermore, this study examines how a service user organization can be understood as a resistance against structures of power. Empirical data was collected with semi-structured interviews with four practitioners working in a service user organization based in Stockholm. The empirical data was interpreted and analyzed through postmodernism and resistance theory. The study reached the conclusion that according to the organization first-hand experience is fundamental in order to help marginalized people due to their possibility to identify with the practitioner. Secondly, the findings show that the practitioners had to enact as translators during meetings with clients and governmental agencies, to enable a constructive dialogue and mutual understanding. The study also displayed that the organization exercise less visible forms of ‘every day resistance’, due to their dependence upon the power which they oppose a resistance against.

Students who participate in a work-integrated learning (WIL) program - such as Cooperative Education during their university studies are often better prepared for the labour market compared to students who do not receive discipline specific practical experience. But does this better preparedness come with a price? Students who participate in WIL programs compared to non-WIL students often have less access to social support networks and the university community due to their alternating academic and work terms.There is reason to believe that the construct of belonging may have especially important implications among university students. There has been growing attention in recent years to mental illness amongst post-secondary students, particularly during their first few years of university study (Conley, Kirsch, Dickson, & Bryant,2014; Storrie, Ahern, & Tuckett, 2010). Research suggests that a sense of school belonging among university students may help buffer the stress associated with the transition to university (Brunwasser, 2012). Pittman and Richmond (2008), for example, found that students who experienced a positive change in their sense of university belonging throughout their first year tended to experience a drop in levels of anxiety and depression related internalizing behavioural problems. A study by Friedlander, Reid, Shupak, and Cribbie (2007), found that when compared to parental social support, higher levels of perceived social support from friends better predicted a healthy social, emotional, and overall adjustment to university among first-year university students. While evidence points to a relation between peer support and sense of belonging and university students' academic and psychological outcomes, such measures do not account for the impact of Social Media (SM) use. This study aims to understand and describe students perception on the role social media play in sense of belonging and peer support and what the relationship(s) arebetween s

Den psykiska ohälsan bland Sveriges befolkning har ökat och i takt med den även internetanvändandet. Den ständiga tillgången till internet har öppnat upp för människor att söka hjälp och publicera egna livsberättelser om sitt mående. På internetbaserade mötesplatser har det skapats en gemenskap och öppnats upp för informella stödgrupper, som vem som helst kan ta del av då behovet uppstår. Internet erbjuder snabba svar på användarnas frågor, och den som använder mötesplatserna kan vara anonym när den kommenterar. Detta har skapat en utmaning för dagens socialarbetare, då klienterna väljer det informella stödet på internet istället för det professionella. För att samla in material till denna studie har den svenska influencern Therese Lindgrens YouTube-kanal använts, där kommentarsfälten till två av hennes filmer använts som empiriskt case. Studiens resultat visar på en kravlös gemenskap vid den digitala mötesplatsen, där användarna själva styr innehållet. Mötesplatsen har visat sig användas som ett ställe dit användarna vänder sig för att ge och ta emot råd, stötta andra och berätta om egna erfarenheter av ångest. Genom att studien synliggör den mediala utvecklingen och de informella stödgrupperna som finns på internet, kan den bidra till en förståelse av den utmaning som socialarbetare står inför. Efter att genomförd studie redogjorts, ges förslag om hur socialarbetare kan anpassa sig till den utveckling som skett. Detta förslag grundar sig i ett samarbete mellan influencers och professionella. Syftet med studien är att ge en inblick i digitala forum och hur dessa nyttjas som informell support av dess användare.

Working as an expert in health care requires peer-support skills. The aim of the study is to describe students’ (n = 8) experiences of peer-support from other students during their Master’s thesis process. This study was a qualitative and the data (n = 29) was collected from the students through a number of repeated open questions during one year. The data were analysed by a qualitative content analysis. The results show that students both received and gave individual and mental peer-support during their Master’s thesis process. The results also show that students need to be active in peer-support group such as to share ideas, to discuss openly and to read peers thesis. The peer-support helped the students to formulate research plan and think more critically based on others students’ feedback. Peer-support received in a group can help increase opportunities for learning working life skills for Master’s thesis students, but further research is needed. More widely in health care, it is important to be aware of the existence of peer-support and discuss how it can be promoted.

Den psykiska ohälsan bland Sveriges befolkning har ökat och i takt med den även internetanvändandet. Den ständiga tillgången till internet har öppnat upp för människor att söka hjälp och publicera egna livsberättelser om sitt mående. På internetbaserade mötesplatser har det skapats en gemenskap och öppnats upp för informella stödgrupper, som vem som helst kan ta del av då behovet uppstår. Internet erbjuder snabba svar på användarnas frågor, och den som använder mötesplatserna kan vara anonym när den kommenterar. Detta har skapat en utmaning för dagens socialarbetare, då klienterna väljer det informella stödet på internet istället för det professionella. För att samla in material till denna studie har den svenska influencern Therese Lindgrens YouTube-kanal använts, där kommentarsfälten till två av hennes filmer använts som empiriskt case. Studiens resultat visar på en kravlös gemenskap vid den digitala mötesplatsen, där användarna själva styr innehållet. Mötesplatsen har visat sig användas som ett ställe dit användarna vänder sig för att ge och ta emot råd, stötta andra och berätta om egna erfarenheter av ångest. Genom att studien synliggör den mediala utvecklingen och de informella stödgrupperna som finns på internet, kan den bidra till en förståelse av den utmaning som socialarbetare står inför. Efter att genomförd studie redogjorts, ges förslag om hur socialarbetare kan anpassa sig till den utveckling som skett. Detta förslag grundar sig i ett samarbete mellan influencers och professionella. Syftet med studien är att ge en inblick i digitala forum och hur dessa nyttjas som informell support av dess användare.

BACKGROUND The majority of content in an Internet Support Group (ISG) is contributed by 1 % of the users ('super users'). Computational methods, such as topic modelling, can provide a large-scale quantitative objective description of this content. Such methods may provide a new perspective on the nature of engagement on ISGs including the role of super users and their possible effect on other users. METHODS A topic model was computed for all posts (N = 131,004) in the ISG BlueBoard using Latent Dirichlet Allocation. A model containing 25 topics was selected on the basis of intelligibility as determined by diagnostic metrics and qualitative investigation. This model yielded 21 substantive topics for further analysis. Two chi-square tests were conducted separately for each topic to ascertain: (i) if the odds of super users' and other users' posting differed for each topic; and (ii) if for super users the odds of posting differed depending on whether the response was to a super user or to another user. RESULTS The 21 substantive topics covered a range of issues related to mental health and peer-support. There were significantly higher odds that super users wrote content on 13 topics, with the greatest effects being for Parenting Role (OR [95%CI] = 7.97 [7.85-8.10]), Co-created Fiction (4.22 [4.17-4.27]), Mental Illness (3.13 [3.11-3.16]) and Positive Change (2.82 [2.79-2.84]). There were significantly lower odds for super users on 7 topics, with the greatest effects being for the topics Depression (OR = 0.27 [0.27-0.28]), Medication (0.36 [0.36-0.37]), Therapy (0.55 [0.54-0.55]) and Anxiety (0.55 [0.55-0.55]). However, super users were significantly more likely to write content on 5 out of these 7 topics when responding to other users than when responding to fellow super users. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that super users serve the role of emotionally supportive companions with a focus on topics broadly resembling the consumer/carer model of recovery. Other users

This dissertation investigates the treatment of alcoholism and its related codependences using the Minnesota model, which defines alcoholism as a disease. This study seeks to recognize the stages of alcoholism, from the rise and deepening of alcoholism and its codependences through recovery, and to determine the keys to this recovery as viewed by patients and their family members. Based on experiential and transformative learning theories, a new learning model for explaining this recovery is suggested. A content analysis of empirical survey data obtained from a Minnesota-model-based treatment home over 10 years is carried out. The survey respondents are 173 patients and 125 of their family members. In this survey, the respondents describe their problems with substance dependence and codependence, explain their attempts to resolve these problems, characterize their recovery (or lack thereof) and provide their views on the treatment’s success factors. The results suggest that it is essential for patients and family members to obtain knowledge and adopt a new perception of substance dependence and codependences. The starting point, to consider alcoholism as a disease, opens up a new avenue of thinking, which liberates an alcoholic from agony and enables them to utilize previous life experiences as a bridge to move from only knowing the phenomenon to the active path of recovery. A key prerequisite for recovery is an analytical walkthrough of one’s own experiences from the drinking period based on this new understanding. Peer support provided by therapists and other patients who have been freed from alcohol dependence is also found to be essential for patients. The treatment’s special characteristics, which are close encounters with family members and a carefully planned one-year follow-up treatment, are also found to be very important. A new conceptual model is suggested to explain the results. The model is an experiential and transformative learning process mo, Tiivistelmä Tutkimus tarkastelee alkoholismin ja siihen liittyvän läheisriippuvuuden hoitoa Minnesota-mallin sairauskäsitteen pohjalta. Tavoitteena on kuvata kehityskulku alkoholismin ja läheisriippuvuuden synnystä ja syvenemisestä toipumiseen asti etsimällä alkoholistien ja heidän läheistensä itse määrittelemiä toipumiseen vaikuttavia tekijöitä. Molempien ryhmien toipumisprosesseja tulkitaan oppimisteoreettisesti ja tältä pohjalta kuvataan kokemukselliseen ja uudistavaan oppimiseen perustuva alkoholismista ja läheisriippuvuudesta toipumista selittävä malli. Empiirinen aineisto kerättiin survey-tutkimuksella Lapualla toimivaan Minnesota-hoitoon osallistuneilta 173 potilaalta ja näiden 125 läheiseltä. Aineisto on ajanjaksolta 1993–2003 ja se käsittää kyseisen hoidon potilaat ja näiden läheiset sen 10 ensimmäisen toimintavuoden ajalta. Vastaajat kuvasivat tätä tutkimusta varten suunnitelluilla kyselylomakkeilla juomisajan ongelmia, niiden ratkaisuyrityksiä, toipumisprosessin luonnetta ja omia näkemyksiään hoidon keskeisimmistä onnistumistekijöistä. Aineisto analysoitiin ja kuvattiin sisällönanalyysimenetelmällä. Saatujen tulosten perusteella toipuminen edellyttää aiemman päihteiden käyttöajan kokemusten analysoivaa läpikäymistä. Toipumisen ytimen niin potilaille kuin läheisillekin muodostavat päihde- ja läheisriippuvuuteen liittyvä uusi tieto ja oivallukset. Alkoholismin tarkastelu lähtökohtaisesti sairautena antoi juovan ajan kokemuksille uuden tuskaisuudesta vapauttavan tulkinnan ja omat kokemukset toimivat siltana tietämisestä toipumiseen. Tärkeänä osana potilaiden toipumisprosessia oli omasta riippuvuudestaan toipuneiden terapeuttien ja toisten potilaiden tarjoama vertaistuki. Keskeisiksi nousivat myös hoidon sisältämä läheiskohtaaminen ja hyvin suunniteltu vuoden pituinen jatkohoito. Tutkimuksen empiirisiä tuloksia selittävässä osuudessa potilaiden ja läheisten toipumisprosesseja tarkasteltiin Mezirowin uudistavan oppimisen ja Kolbin kokemuksellisen oppimisen teo

Certaines personnes peuvent être stigmatisées quand elles présentent un attribut relié à une identité sociale qui est dénigrée dans un contexte particulier. Il existe plusieurs stéréotypes au sujet des personnes qui ont une perte d'audition. Le grand public associe souvent la perte d'audition à des comportements indésirables, au vieillissement et à une capacité intellectuelle réduite. Ces stéréotypes affectent négativement la participation des personnes ayant une perte auditive à diverses activités. Malgré les impacts évidents et importants que la stigmatisation a sur la participation sociale des personnes ayant une perte auditive et leur propension à recourir aux services de réadaptation, on constate une pénurie relative de recherche sur le stigmate lié à la perte d'audition. Ces dernières années, les chercheurs en sciences sociales ont fait de grands pas pour conceptualiser le stigmate selon la perspective des personnes qui sont la cible des attitudes nuisibles. La plupart de ces concepts peuvent s'appliquer au stigmate social lié à la perte d'audition. Le premier article de cette thèse tente de placer le stigmate lié à la perte d'audition dans un modèle de menace à l’identité induite par le stigmate (stigma-induced identity threat model). Ce chapitre explore comment les services pourraient être modifiés pour mieux soutenir les individus qui montrent des signes que leur identité personnelle est compromise à cause de leur perte d'audition. De façon générale, les buts de ce manuscrit sont a) de dresser un bref résumé de la question du stigmate lié à la perte d'audition ; b) de présenter un modèle spécifique de menace d'identité induite par le stigmate et d’incorporer des notions propres au stigmate lié à la perte d'audition à cette conceptualisation générale du stigmate et c) de réfléchir sur la pertinence de ce modèle pour la réadaptation audiologique. L'intention de la deuxième étude est de mieux comprendre comment le stigmate affecte les comportements de recherch, Individuals are stigmatized when they possess, or are thought to possess, an attribute or characteristic that conveys a social identity that is devalued in a particular social context. There are several stereotypes, or commonly held (often erroneous) beliefs about people who have hearing loss. The general public often associate people with hearing loss to undesirable behaviours, ageing, and reduced intellect. Stereotypes such as these negatively impact upon activities of daily living engaged in by people with hearing loss. In spite of the obvious and important impacts that stigma has on social participation and inclination to use rehabilitative strategies, there has been a relative dearth of research on the stigma associated with hearing loss. In recent years, researchers in the social sciences have made great strides to conceptualize “stigma” from the perspective of people who are the target of prejudicial attitudes. Most of these concepts are applicable to the social stigma associated with hearing loss. The first study presented in this dissertation attempts to position hearing loss stigma within a model of stigma-induced identity threat. Overall, the goals of this paper are to a) offer a brief summary of hearing loss stigma; b) present a specific stigma identity threat model and incorporate ideas about hearing loss stigma into this general conceptualization of stigma; and c) reflect on the appropriateness of this model for the domain of rehabilitative audiology. The intent of the second study was to better understand how stigma impacted upon the help-seeking activities of adults with an acquired hearing loss. Ten people who had hearing loss, and were members of peer-support groups participated in audio-recorded semi-structured interviews. Thematic analyses of verbatim transcripts revealed that respondents experienced a heightened propensity to seek help following Critical Junctures, when negative stress and positive energy were out of balance: 1) a time when nega

The overall aim with this thesis is to describe and analyze women’s and men’s recovery processes. More specifically, the aim is to determine what women and men with experience of mental illness describe as contributing to the personal recovery process. The point of departure for the studies was 30 in-depth interviews conducted with 15 men and 15 women. The selection of interview subjects was limited to individuals who had been treated in 24-hour psychiatric care and diagnosed as having schizophrenia, psychosis, a personality disorder, or a bipolar disorder. Four studies have been carried. Study 1 was a baseline article that examined what people in recovery from mental illness outline as facilitating factors to their recovery. The results that emerged from that study indicated areas for further analysis to condense the understanding of the recovery process. In study 2 the similarities and the differences in recovery described by women and men were examined. In Study 3 women’s and men’s meaning-making with reference to severe mental illness facilitate the recovery process were studied. The forth study explored how peer-support contribute to women’s and men’s recovery from mental illness. The results emphasize recovery from mental illness as a social process in which relationships play a key role in creating new identities beside the mental illness. For a majority of the participants meeting peers facilitated the recovery process. The participants described how peer support meant an end to isolation and became an arena for identification, connection, and being important to others. Throughout these recovery processes the impact of gender has been emphasized. The results from this thesis provide new insight into gender as an important factor in understanding the recovery processes. The results from the four studies emphasize the mental patient, the psychiatric interventions and the individual recovery strategies as being influenced by gender constructions.

The overall aim with this thesis is to describe and analyze women’s and men’s recovery processes. More specifically, the aim is to determine what women and men with experience of mental illness describe as contributing to the personal recovery process. The point of departure for the studies was 30 in-depth interviews conducted with 15 men and 15 women. The selection of interview subjects was limited to individuals who had been treated in 24-hour psychiatric care and diagnosed as having schizophrenia, psychosis, a personality disorder, or a bipolar disorder. Four studies have been carried. Study 1 was a baseline article that examined what people in recovery from mental illness outline as facilitating factors to their recovery. The results that emerged from that study indicated areas for further analysis to condense the understanding of the recovery process. In study 2 the similarities and the differences in recovery described by women and men were examined. In Study 3 women’s and men’s meaning-making with reference to severe mental illness facilitate the recovery process were studied. The forth study explored how peer-support contribute to women’s and men’s recovery from mental illness. The results emphasize recovery from mental illness as a social process in which relationships play a key role in creating new identities beside the mental illness. For a majority of the participants meeting peers facilitated the recovery process. The participants described how peer support meant an end to isolation and became an arena for identification, connection, and being important to others. Throughout these recovery processes the impact of gender has been emphasized. The results from this thesis provide new insight into gender as an important factor in understanding the recovery processes. The results from the four studies emphasize the mental patient, the psychiatric interventions and the individual recovery strategies as being influenced by gender constructions.

Att drabbas av KOL är något som påverkar vardagen på många sätt. Sjukdomen har ökat i omfattning och visar inga tecken på att minska. Det innebär att vårdpersonal alltmer kommer att möta dessa personer. Behandlingen är oftast inriktad mot de fysiska behoven utan att ta hänsyn till helheten. Syftet var att belysa dessa personers upplevelser av att leva med KOL för att kunna möta deras behov och ge det stöd de själva vill ha. Litteraturstudie valdes som metod och systematiska sökningar gjordes i databaserna Cinahl, Pubmed och PsycINFO. Resultatet bygger på 14 artiklar och visade att andningsproblemen var den dominerade upplevelsen som påverkade vardagen negativt. Andningsproblemen gjorde att personerna med KOL upplevde att de tappade orken, upplevde beroende, men även så småningom en acceptans över att leva med den kroniska sjukdomen. Det visade sig hur dessa upplevelser påverkade varandra och kunde bli som en ond cirkel. Det är därför viktigt att i fortsatt forskning undersöka hur vårdpersonalen kan stödja dessa personers egenvårdsstrategier där peer-support är en viktig del.

The overall aim with this thesis is to describe and analyze women’s and men’s recovery processes. More specifically, the aim is to determine what women and men with experience of mental illness describe as contributing to the personal recovery process. The point of departure for the studies was 30 in-depth interviews conducted with 15 men and 15 women. The selection of interview subjects was limited to individuals who had been treated in 24-hour psychiatric care and diagnosed as having schizophrenia, psychosis, a personality disorder, or a bipolar disorder. Four studies have been carried. Study 1 was a baseline article that examined what people in recovery from mental illness outline as facilitating factors to their recovery. The results that emerged from that study indicated areas for further analysis to condense the understanding of the recovery process. In study 2 the similarities and the differences in recovery described by women and men were examined. In Study 3 women’s and men’s meaning-making with reference to severe mental illness facilitate the recovery process were studied. The forth study explored how peer-support contribute to women’s and men’s recovery from mental illness. The results emphasize recovery from mental illness as a social process in which relationships play a key role in creating new identities beside the mental illness. For a majority of the participants meeting peers facilitated the recovery process. The participants described how peer support meant an end to isolation and became an arena for identification, connection, and being important to others. Throughout these recovery processes the impact of gender has been emphasized. The results from this thesis provide new insight into gender as an important factor in understanding the recovery processes. The results from the four studies emphasize the mental patient, the psychiatric interventions and the individual recovery strategies as being influenced by gender constructions.

The overall aim with this thesis is to describe and analyze women’s and men’s recovery processes. More specifically, the aim is to determine what women and men with experience of mental illness describe as contributing to the personal recovery process. The point of departure for the studies was 30 in-depth interviews conducted with 15 men and 15 women. The selection of interview subjects was limited to individuals who had been treated in 24-hour psychiatric care and diagnosed as having schizophrenia, psychosis, a personality disorder, or a bipolar disorder. Four studies have been carried. Study 1 was a baseline article that examined what people in recovery from mental illness outline as facilitating factors to their recovery. The results that emerged from that study indicated areas for further analysis to condense the understanding of the recovery process. In study 2 the similarities and the differences in recovery described by women and men were examined. In Study 3 women’s and men’s meaning-making with reference to severe mental illness facilitate the recovery process were studied. The forth study explored how peer-support contribute to women’s and men’s recovery from mental illness. The results emphasize recovery from mental illness as a social process in which relationships play a key role in creating new identities beside the mental illness. For a majority of the participants meeting peers facilitated the recovery process. The participants described how peer support meant an end to isolation and became an arena for identification, connection, and being important to others. Throughout these recovery processes the impact of gender has been emphasized. The results from this thesis provide new insight into gender as an important factor in understanding the recovery processes. The results from the four studies emphasize the mental patient, the psychiatric interventions and the individual recovery strategies as being influenced by gender constructions.

The overall aim with this thesis is to describe and analyze women’s and men’s recovery processes. More specifically, the aim is to determine what women and men with experience of mental illness describe as contributing to the personal recovery process. The point of departure for the studies was 30 in-depth interviews conducted with 15 men and 15 women. The selection of interview subjects was limited to individuals who had been treated in 24-hour psychiatric care and diagnosed as having schizophrenia, psychosis, a personality disorder, or a bipolar disorder. Four studies have been carried. Study 1 was a baseline article that examined what people in recovery from mental illness outline as facilitating factors to their recovery. The results that emerged from that study indicated areas for further analysis to condense the understanding of the recovery process. In study 2 the similarities and the differences in recovery described by women and men were examined. In Study 3 women’s and men’s meaning-making with reference to severe mental illness facilitate the recovery process were studied. The forth study explored how peer-support contribute to women’s and men’s recovery from mental illness. The results emphasize recovery from mental illness as a social process in which relationships play a key role in creating new identities beside the mental illness. For a majority of the participants meeting peers facilitated the recovery process. The participants described how peer support meant an end to isolation and became an arena for identification, connection, and being important to others. Throughout these recovery processes the impact of gender has been emphasized. The results from this thesis provide new insight into gender as an important factor in understanding the recovery processes. The results from the four studies emphasize the mental patient, the psychiatric interventions and the individual recovery strategies as being influenced by gender constructions.

Att drabbas av KOL är något som påverkar vardagen på många sätt. Sjukdomen har ökat i omfattning och visar inga tecken på att minska. Det innebär att vårdpersonal alltmer kommer att möta dessa personer. Behandlingen är oftast inriktad mot de fysiska behoven utan att ta hänsyn till helheten. Syftet var att belysa dessa personers upplevelser av att leva med KOL för att kunna möta deras behov och ge det stöd de själva vill ha. Litteraturstudie valdes som metod och systematiska sökningar gjordes i databaserna Cinahl, Pubmed och PsycINFO. Resultatet bygger på 14 artiklar och visade att andningsproblemen var den dominerade upplevelsen som påverkade vardagen negativt. Andningsproblemen gjorde att personerna med KOL upplevde att de tappade orken, upplevde beroende, men även så småningom en acceptans över att leva med den kroniska sjukdomen. Det visade sig hur dessa upplevelser påverkade varandra och kunde bli som en ond cirkel. Det är därför viktigt att i fortsatt forskning undersöka hur vårdpersonalen kan stödja dessa personers egenvårdsstrategier där peer-support är en viktig del.

The overall aim with this thesis is to describe and analyze women’s and men’s recovery processes. More specifically, the aim is to determine what women and men with experience of mental illness describe as contributing to the personal recovery process. The point of departure for the studies was 30 in-depth interviews conducted with 15 men and 15 women. The selection of interview subjects was limited to individuals who had been treated in 24-hour psychiatric care and diagnosed as having schizophrenia, psychosis, a personality disorder, or a bipolar disorder. Four studies have been carried. Study 1 was a baseline article that examined what people in recovery from mental illness outline as facilitating factors to their recovery. The results that emerged from that study indicated areas for further analysis to condense the understanding of the recovery process. In study 2 the similarities and the differences in recovery described by women and men were examined. In Study 3 women’s and men’s meaning-making with reference to severe mental illness facilitate the recovery process were studied. The forth study explored how peer-support contribute to women’s and men’s recovery from mental illness. The results emphasize recovery from mental illness as a social process in which relationships play a key role in creating new identities beside the mental illness. For a majority of the participants meeting peers facilitated the recovery process. The participants described how peer support meant an end to isolation and became an arena for identification, connection, and being important to others. Throughout these recovery processes the impact of gender has been emphasized. The results from this thesis provide new insight into gender as an important factor in understanding the recovery processes. The results from the four studies emphasize the mental patient, the psychiatric interventions and the individual recovery strategies as being influenced by gender constructions.

The overall aim with this thesis is to describe and analyze women’s and men’s recovery processes. More specifically, the aim is to determine what women and men with experience of mental illness describe as contributing to the personal recovery process. The point of departure for the studies was 30 in-depth interviews conducted with 15 men and 15 women. The selection of interview subjects was limited to individuals who had been treated in 24-hour psychiatric care and diagnosed as having schizophrenia, psychosis, a personality disorder, or a bipolar disorder. Four studies have been carried. Study 1 was a baseline article that examined what people in recovery from mental illness outline as facilitating factors to their recovery. The results that emerged from that study indicated areas for further analysis to condense the understanding of the recovery process. In study 2 the similarities and the differences in recovery described by women and men were examined. In Study 3 women’s and men’s meaning-making with reference to severe mental illness facilitate the recovery process were studied. The forth study explored how peer-support contribute to women’s and men’s recovery from mental illness. The results emphasize recovery from mental illness as a social process in which relationships play a key role in creating new identities beside the mental illness. For a majority of the participants meeting peers facilitated the recovery process. The participants described how peer support meant an end to isolation and became an arena for identification, connection, and being important to others. Throughout these recovery processes the impact of gender has been emphasized. The results from this thesis provide new insight into gender as an important factor in understanding the recovery processes. The results from the four studies emphasize the mental patient, the psychiatric interventions and the individual recovery strategies as being influenced by gender constructions.

The overall aim with this thesis is to describe and analyze women’s and men’s recovery processes. More specifically, the aim is to determine what women and men with experience of mental illness describe as contributing to the personal recovery process. The point of departure for the studies was 30 in-depth interviews conducted with 15 men and 15 women. The selection of interview subjects was limited to individuals who had been treated in 24-hour psychiatric care and diagnosed as having schizophrenia, psychosis, a personality disorder, or a bipolar disorder. Four studies have been carried. Study 1 was a baseline article that examined what people in recovery from mental illness outline as facilitating factors to their recovery. The results that emerged from that study indicated areas for further analysis to condense the understanding of the recovery process. In study 2 the similarities and the differences in recovery described by women and men were examined. In Study 3 women’s and men’s meaning-making with reference to severe mental illness facilitate the recovery process were studied. The forth study explored how peer-support contribute to women’s and men’s recovery from mental illness. The results emphasize recovery from mental illness as a social process in which relationships play a key role in creating new identities beside the mental illness. For a majority of the participants meeting peers facilitated the recovery process. The participants described how peer support meant an end to isolation and became an arena for identification, connection, and being important to others. Throughout these recovery processes the impact of gender has been emphasized. The results from this thesis provide new insight into gender as an important factor in understanding the recovery processes. The results from the four studies emphasize the mental patient, the psychiatric interventions and the individual recovery strategies as being influenced by gender constructions.

Chambers, S. K., Occhipinti, S., Stiller, A., Zajdlewicz, L., Nielsen, L., Wittman, D., ... Dunn, J. (2019). Five‐year outcomes from a randomised controlled trial of a couples‐based intervention for men with localised prostate cancer. Psycho‐Oncology, 28(4), 775–783. Available here