1. Peer volunteer perspectives following a complex social cognitive intervention: a qualitative investigation
- Author
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Brian A. Lawlor, Niamh Aspell, Joanna E. McHugh, Leona Connolly, Olga Lee, and Sabina Brennan
- Subjects
Gerontology ,Adult ,Male ,Volunteers ,Psychological intervention ,Peer Group ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Cognition ,030502 gerontology ,Humans ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Social Behavior ,Volunteer ,Qualitative Research ,Aged ,Aged, 80 and over ,Social modeling ,Intervention design ,Social Support ,Focus Groups ,Middle Aged ,Focus group ,Psychiatry and Mental health ,Clinical Psychology ,Female ,Geriatrics and Gerontology ,Thematic analysis ,0305 other medical science ,Psychology ,Social cognitive theory ,Clinical psychology ,Program Evaluation - Abstract
Background:Peer volunteers can be key to delivering effective social cognitive interventions due to increased potential for social modeling. We consulted peer volunteers who had just taken part in an 8-week social and nutritional mealtime intervention with older adults living alone, to seek their evaluation of the intervention.Methods:Semi-structured focus groups were used with a total of 21 volunteers (17 female) and two facilitators. Thematic analysis was used to interrogate the data.Results:Six themes (16 sub-themes) are discussed. Peer volunteers described the importance of the socializing aspect of the intervention, of pairing considerations and compatibility in peer interventions, of considering the needs of the participant, of benefits to the volunteers, and of the practical considerations of conducting an intervention. Volunteers also discussed considerations for future research and services for older adults living alone.Conclusions:Volunteers found their involvement in the intervention to be personally beneficial, and revealed some valuable considerations for the researchers to take forward to future research. Results are pertinent to intervention design and could inform future social cognitive and other peer-oriented interventions for older adults living alone.
- Published
- 2016