Experts by Experience: Peer Support and its Use with the Homeless

Stephanie L Barker, Nick Maguire, Stephanie L Barker, Nick Maguire

Abstract

The homeless population has complex needs. Peers with experience of homelessness offer unique perspectives in supporting those experiencing homelessness. Peer support fostered and developed by professional organisations, termed intentional peer support (IPS), formalises this process. This review aims to assess the effectiveness of IPS as an intervention with young adults and adult homeless persons (including streetdwelling and those within services). PyscINFO, Web of Science, MEDLINE, and CINAHL were searched, resulting in ten studies, involving 1,829 participants. Peer support has significant impacts on quality of life, drug/alcohol use, and social support. Common elements of peer support are identified, suggesting possible processes that underlie effective peer support. Shared experiences, role modelling, and social support are suggested to be vital aspects of peer support and moderate changes in homeless clients. One study was deemed to have moderate/high quality; the remaining studies had low and moderate quality. Limitations of each are discussed.

Keywords: Drug/alcohol use; Homelessness; Peer support; Quality of life.

Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest

All authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Human and Animal Participants

This article does not contain any involvement of human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
PRISMA flowchart: Screening of articles to be included
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Common elements of IPS

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