Mentoring on the Margins: Mentees’ Perspectives on a Community-Based Reentry Program for Full-Term Released Individuals

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the contribution of social support systems to the bio-psycho-social and economic problems of patients waiting for lung transplantation in the Covid-19 pandemic. Methods: Qualitative research was conducted with one-on-one interviews with 21 patients. Results: 61% of the patients were male, 47.6% were married, and the mean age was 36.67±14.023 (Median: 39, Min: 18, Max: 61). 85.7% of the patients were not working in any job. The patients were waiting for lung transplantation due to boron ectasia, COPD, pulmonary hypertension, interstitial lung disease, cystic fibrosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. It has been determined that there are more fear, anxiety and panic in patients waiting for transplant due to the decrease in organ transplants during the Covid-19 pandemic and the Covid-19 disease affecting the lungs. While transplant candidates benefited less from formal support systems during the Covid-19 pandemic process, they benefited more from informal support systems. All of the candidates stated that the family is a very important structure and stated that they would not be able to continue their lives if they did not have a family. Conclusion: More comprehensive formal and informal support systems including vulnerable groups should be planned in disasters.

ObjectivesIntergenerational support is associated with fewer depressive symptoms in old age. Uneven development has resulted in huge urban–rural disparities in China, which could lead to different intergenerational relationships. The present study aimed to examine whether intergenerational support was associated with depressive symptoms differently among urban and rural Chinese older participants.MethodsA sample of 3,498 participants from nine pairs of urban subdistricts and rural villages were included in the present study. Depressive symptoms were measured by the 10-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, and the intergenerational support mechanisms (financial, instrumental, and emotional) were assessed with a self-designed questionnaire.ResultsSignificant areas by support effect for depressive symptoms indicated different associations between intergenerational financial and emotional support and depressive symptoms in urban and rural areas. Specifically, urban older participants receiving emotional support from adult children and rural older participants receiving financial support from adult children showed fewer depressive symptoms. In both areas, participants receiving instrumental support showed fewer depressive symptoms.ConclusionOur study is the first to compare the urban–rural disparity in association between intergenerational support and depressive symptoms in a developing country, China. The results support modernization theories proposing weakened economic function but intensified emotional ties in societies with higher level of development. Communication-based intergenerational emotional support should be promoted in urban areas, and formal support systems should provide financial and instrumental support to the vulnerable rural older population.

This study explores the role of peer mentoring in a women's prison in England and Wales, focusing on its contributions to emotional well-being and the wider functioning of the prison. Drawing on qualitative interviews and focus groups with peer mentors, mentees, prison officers, and project workers, the findings highlight how peer mentors are perceived to ease staff workload and provide emotional support to other women in prison. However, the study found a paradox in peer mentoring, as while grounded in care, it also functions as a tool of informal control. This raises ethical considerations around institutional reliance on peer mentors, blurred boundaries between peer and staff roles, and the emotional labour involved. The paper concludes with recommendations for structured supervision, clearer role definitions, and enhanced support mechanisms to safeguard mentors’ well-being and ensure the ethical sustainability of peer mentoring programmes.

Peer mentoring experiences of nursing students based on the caring perspective: A qualitative study

Informal social support from family and friends has often been highlighted as the key form of support for migrants under different forms of transnational movement, particularly for female migrants. Drawing on the findings from qualitative and quantitative studies on Filipino and Indonesian migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong, this article applies the intersectionality framework to explore how migrant domestic workers approach different forms of support systems based on their multiple identities of gender, ethnicity, and religion. A clear distinction on help-seeking behavior is drawn between approaching formal and informal support systems with migrant domestic workers directly approaching formal support when the problem is employment related but turning to informal support when having emotional needs. Such distinction is found to be related to migrant domestic workers’ perceptions toward gender role and religious practices under transnational movements.

Effective mentoring is a key mechanism propelling successful research and academic careers, particularly for early career scholars. Most mentoring programs focus on models pairing senior and early career researchers, with limited focus on peer mentoring. Peer mentoring may be especially advantageous within emerging areas such as implementation science (IS) where challenges to traditional mentoring may be more prevalent. This special communication highlights the value of peer mentoring by describing a case study of an early career IS peer mentoring group. We delineate our curriculum and structure; support and processes; and products and outcomes. We highlight important group member characteristics to consider during group formation and continuation. The group's long-term (6 years) success was attributed to the balance of similarities and differences among group members. Members were in a similar career phase and used similar methodologies but studied different health topics at different institutions. Group members gave and received instrumental and psychosocial support and shared resources and knowledge. Peer mentoring can serve an important function to provide emotional, logistical, and professional development support for early career scholars. Our case study highlights strategies to foster peer mentoring groups that provide a generalizable blueprint and opportunity for improved outcomes for early career professionals.

Objective: The resource group method intends to promote patients' agency and self-management and to organize meaningful partnerships between patients and their informal and formal support systems. The aim of this study was to enhance the understanding of interpersonal dynamics that arise within resource groups for people with severe mental illness. Insight into these unfolding processes would enable improved implementation of the resource group method so that it contributes to establishing a positive social environment, which can lead to more enduring recovery.Methodology: We performed a narrative analysis of transcripts and field notes obtained in a longitudinal, qualitative study on the resource group method. The stories of four different resource groups were reconstructed and analyzed in depth. Data included a total of 36 interviews (with patients, significant others, and mental health professionals) and 18 observations of resource group meetings.Results: The degree to which the resource group method actually contributes to recovery was based on the extent to which the existing roles of and patterns between the patient and his/her resource group members were altered. Breaking through old patterns of inequality and the joint search for a new balance in relationships proved to be crucial processes for establishing an empowering resource group. The four cases showed that it takes time, patience, and small steps back and forth to overcome the struggles and fears related to finding new ways of relating to each other. An honest and reflective atmosphere in which all participants are encouraged to participate and be curious about themselves and each other is essential for changes in interpersonal dynamics to emerge. Such changes pave the way for individuals with SMI to find their own voices and pursue their unique recovery journeys.Conclusions: The functioning of the resource group and the ability of the involved members to respond in new ways are important when working toward the patient's recovery goals. The resource group method should therefore not be considered an intervention to organize informal support for the patient, but a platform to expose and adjust the functioning of the patient's social network as a whole.

The family caregivers of children with cerebral palsy experience various challenges during the caregiving trajectory. This study explores the family caregivers' burden and coping strategies with caring for children with cerebral palsy in Tamale Metropolis, Ghana. The study adopted an exploratory, descriptive phenomenological approach. Participants were recruited using a purposive sampling technique. Semistructured interviews were conducted, and we achieved data saturation with 15 participants. The data were analysed using a thematic approach. The findings identified that physical strain, work-related challenges and stigma constituted the primary caregiver's burden. The coping strategies employed included emotional coping, displacement/ignoring, seeking knowledge and religious coping. The nature of the care burden requires deliberate caregiver information and care support throughout the care trajectory. A formal support system will contribute to caregivers' effective and efficient coping with caring for children with cerebral palsy.

Background: Management and support by an interdisciplinary rheumatology team are essential for achieving optimal disease outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Nevertheless, health professionals generally do not experience the disease themselves, and patients may have specific educational needs that can only be provided by other patients having gone through the same experience. Furthermore, patients with RA may benefit most from such additional care interventions in the early disease stage when they are particularly faced with threats to their normal life. Peer mentoring has been studied and successfully implemented in other chronic conditions, however, this is rather a new care concept in the field of rheumatology. Objectives: Among four key stakeholders in the management of early RA, we aimed (1) to uncover the current experience with, need for and attitude towards implementing peer mentoring in the care for patients with early RA in Flanders; (2) to gather ideas for the content and format of a peer mentor program. Methods: We conducted an explorative qualitative focus group study. In total, five focus groups were organized to capture the perspective of each of the following stakeholders: patients with early RA (n=10), representatives of patient organizations (n=5), rheumatologists (n=10) and rheumatology nurses (n=5). Data were analyzed using the constant comparison method as presented in the Qualitative Analysis Guide of Leuven. Two patient research partners helped to analyze and interpret the data. Results: Most stakeholders perceived a potential need for peer mentoring in early RA. However, they underscored that this would be largely person and disease phase dependent suggesting that peer mentoring should be presented as an option to patients, rather than a standard of care. The additional value of peer mentors would be foremost situated in providing disease perspective and a sense of recognition to newly diagnosed patients. For some stakeholders, it was difficult to get a clear picture of such a program, which made it difficult for them to formulate an opinion on a specific format. The health professionals particularly mentioned the current lack of a formal framework for collaborating with patient experts, and the need for carefully selected and well-trained peer mentors. Stakeholders shared the view that the development of a peer mentor program and its integration within the current care context should ideally take place in co-operation with and under supervision of health professionals. Conclusion: Our results underline that peer mentoring in early RA holds potential for certain patients under certain circumstances, yet a clear framework for all stakeholders is a prerequisite to ensure a chance for success of this complex intervention. Future research should thus focus on unfolding the facilitators and barriers of collaborating with patient experts in the daily care of patients with early rheumatoid arthritis. Acknowledgement: This work was supported by Fonds Wetenschappelijk Reuma Onderzoek (FWRO). Disclosure of Interests: Kristien Van der Elst: None declared, Lore Bangels: None declared, Lianne Peerlings: None declared, Lies De Caluwe: None declared, Ilse Langers: None declared, Veerle Stouten: None declared, Diederik De Cock: None declared, Rene Westhovens Grant/research support from: Bristol-Myers Squibb, Consultant for: Celltrion, Galapagos-Gilead, Patrick Verschueren Grant/research support from: Unrestricted Pfizer Grant for Early RA research

Introduction: The number of young adults (youth) living with childhood-onset disabilities, and requiring transitional support to adult community and rehabilitation services, is increasing. We explored facilitators and barriers to accessing and sustaining community and rehabilitation services during the transition from pediatric to adult care. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted in Ontario, Canada. Data were collected through interviews with youth (n = 11) and family caregivers (n = 7). The data were coded and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Youth and caregivers face many types of transitions from pediatric to adult community and rehabilitation services, e.g., those related to education, living arrangements, and employment. This transition is marked by feelings of isolation. Supportive social networks, continuity of care (i.e., same care providers), and advocacy all contribute to positive experiences. Lack of knowledge about resources, changing parental involvement without preparation, and a lack of system responses to evolving needs were barriers to positive transitions. Financial circumstances were described as either a barrier or facilitator to service access. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that continuity of care, support from providers, and social networks all contribute markedly to the positive experience of transitioning from pediatric to adult services for individuals with childhood-onset disabilities and family caregivers. Future transitional interventions should incorporate these considerations.

BackgroundThe RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance) framework is a useful tool for evaluating the impact of programs in community settings. RE-AIM has been applied to evaluate individual programs but seldom used to evaluate the collective impact of community-based, public health programming developed and delivered by multiple autonomous organizations. The purposes of this paper were to (a) demonstrate how RE-AIM can be operationalized and applied to evaluate the collective impact of similar autonomous programs that promote health and well-being and (b) provide preliminary data on the collective impact of Canadian spinal cord injury (SCI) peer mentorship programs on the delivery of peer mentorship services.MethodsCriteria from all five RE-AIM dimensions were operationalized to evaluate multiple similar community-based programs. For this study, nine provincial organizations that serve people with SCI were recruited from across Canada. Organizations completed a structured self-report questionnaire and participated in a qualitative telephone interview to examine different elements of their peer mentorship program. Data were analyzed using summary statistics.ResultsHaving multiple indicators to assess RE-AIM dimensions provided a broad evaluation of the impact of Canadian SCI peer mentorship programs. Peer mentorship programs reached 1.63% of the estimated Canadian SCI population. The majority (67%) of organizations tracked the effectiveness of peer mentorship through testimonials and reports. Setting-level adoption rates were high with 100% of organizations offering peer mentorship in community and hospital settings. On average, organizations allocated 10.4% of their operating budget and 9.8% of their staff to implement peer mentorship and 89% had maintained their programming for over 10 years. Full interpretation of the collective impact of peer mentorship programs was limited as complete data were only collected for 52% of survey questions.ConclusionsThe lack of available organizational data highlights a significant challenge when using RE-AIM to evaluate the collective impact of multiple programs that promote health and well-being. Although researchers are encouraged to use RE-AIM to evaluate the collective impact of programs delivered by different organizations, documenting limitations and providing recommendations should be done to further the understanding of how best to operationalize RE-AIM in these contexts.

Diverse representation in higher education leadership is critical to the Academy’s mission of teaching, research, and service. As academic leadership positions are rarely occupied by faculty from underrepresented gender and minoritized groups, inclusive mentorship practices are necessary to equip and support administrators of diverse backgrounds and identities. In this qualitative study, administrators from a school of public health in the southeastern United States present findings from an electronic survey exploring experiences with peer mentorship as it relates to leadership and training. Open-ended responses are compared with peer mentorship literature. Thematic analysis demonstrated peer mentorship is specifically beneficial for: 1) sharing knowledge and improving navigation, 2) cultivating change with respect and inclusivity, and 3) inspiring motivation and balance to prevent burnout. This study demonstrates the value of peer mentorship models for co-development of successful leadership qualities and for addressing administrative pressures through inclusive practices that promote diversity and improve equity.

Postpartum pain, a common symptom after a cesarean birth, is influenced by psychosocial factors. This exploratory qualitative study examined patient perspectives on social support and healthcare communication behaviors in the postpartum setting in relation to the pain experience. In-depth, semi-structured, qualitative interviews about postpartum pain experiences were conducted 2-3 days and 2-6 weeks postpartum with individuals who underwent a cesarean birth (2020-2021). Data were analyzed using the constant comparative method. Among 49 postpartum individuals, themes related to social support and healthcare communication were identified in relation to postpartum pain. Participants discussed the impact of non-healthcare social support (e.g., partners, extended family, other children) on postpartum pain, highlighting emotional and practical assistance. Most commonly mentioned were the positive impacts of emotional and logistical support with household activities and childcare on postpartum pain recovery. The second theme covered individuals' views on how healthcare support and communication affected postpartum pain, with themes of both positive and negative experiences. Some participants discussed positive experiences of shared decision-making and responsiveness of the healthcare team, whereas others recounted negative experiences of lack of counseling and poor outpatient communication. Social support and healthcare communication are integral influences on pain recovery after a cesarean birth. These findings highlight the need for interventions to address psychosocial support and healthcare team communication in the immediate postpartum period.

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis among women in Sweden, and 20% of cases are women younger than 50 years. For many of these women, the diagnosis occurs during a period of active parenting, when they are responsible for the emotional and practical care of young children. This dual burden, coping with a life‐threatening illness while maintaining a caregiving role, can lead to increased emotional strain, altered family dynamics and challenges in communication and support. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the parenting experiences of women with breast cancer who have minor children, focusing on challenges, needs and interactions with the healthcare services. Methods: A self‐selected sample of 131 mothers, living in Sweden, aged 25–60 years, who were diagnosed within the past five years participated. Participants were recruited via social media, patient organizations and oncology clinics. An online questionnaire was used to collect data between January and May 2023, which consisted of, among other things, sociodemographic information and an open‐ended question about parenthood. The responses to the open‐ended question were analysed using conventional content analysis. Results: The analysis resulted in five categories: a significant impact on mothering and an increased emotional burden; challenges in communication within the family; a broad range of experiences of healthcare support from significantly lacking to positive experiences; the need for emotional and practical support from family, partners, relatives and school and the emotional and social impact on the children. Conclusion: The findings highlight that there is a clear need for more accessible and structured support from the healthcare services to address the unique needs of mothers with breast cancer and their children, ensuring better communication, psychosocial care and practical assistance throughout the illness trajectory.

BackgroundRecruiting and retention of teaching practices is challenging. Although GP teaching physicians are predominantly intrinsically motivated, the time required for teaching is often cited as a barrier. Practice teams could benefit, if the students’ learning in practice is optimized in such a way that there is also a noticeable positive impact in daily work. To inform this, we explored students’, general practitioners’ (GPs) and practice assistants’ (PAs) views on the positive impact that students could have during a general practice clerkship (GPC). We asked participants and teaching practices of the “Excellent Summer”, a GPC project in rural Bavaria.MethodsBased on a qualitative survey, we developed a questionnaire with 12 items rating the potential benefits of students in practice. Students, GPs and PAs gave their subjective assessment of the benefits on a 4-point Likert scale. The students completed the questionnaire before and after their clinical traineeship. The assessments of the three groups were compared using variance analysis, the pre-post assessment among students using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.Results44 students, 59 GPs and 29 PAs (100% response rate) responded. Initially, the students rated their support in routine tasks and their influence on cultural attitudes higher than GPS and PAs. GPs and PAs rated students´contribution through up-to-date knowledge and the stimulation of self-reflection higher than students themselves. They similarly saw enjoyment with teaching and sharing experiences as bigger than students. MFAs perceived the influence of students in a similar way to the GPs, but saw the benefit of students for patient care more positively. During the clinical traineeship, the students’ assessment approached that of the practice team in some aspects.ConclusionsDiffering expectations can be addressed with customized preparation and instructions for students and practice teams and optimize benefits of students´ activities. Positive impact of students´ clerkships can facilitate recruiting and retainment of teaching practices.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12909-025-07879-0.