Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the social support characteristics and correlates of peer networks for Clubhouse
members. A random sample of 126 members from one Clubhouse was requested to nominate social network members and asked a series
of questions about characteristics of supports provided by each network member. Respondents with both peers and non-peers
in their network, three fifths of the sample, had more frequent contacts with peers than with non-peers and were more satisfied
with peer relationships than with non-peer relationships. Those respondents also reported that peers were less critical than
non-peers. Among all respondents, being Caucasian and having better quality of social life were correlated with having a peer
network while higher degree of reliance on others and more Clubhouse visits were correlated with having a Clubhouse network.
Longitudinal studies are needed to further investigate the relationship between quality and benefits of peer support.
members. A random sample of 126 members from one Clubhouse was requested to nominate social network members and asked a series
of questions about characteristics of supports provided by each network member. Respondents with both peers and non-peers
in their network, three fifths of the sample, had more frequent contacts with peers than with non-peers and were more satisfied
with peer relationships than with non-peer relationships. Those respondents also reported that peers were less critical than
non-peers. Among all respondents, being Caucasian and having better quality of social life were correlated with having a peer
network while higher degree of reliance on others and more Clubhouse visits were correlated with having a Clubhouse network.
Longitudinal studies are needed to further investigate the relationship between quality and benefits of peer support.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-11
- DOI 10.1007/s10597-012-9502-5
- Authors
- David E. Biegel, Henry Zucker Professor of Social Work Practice, Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, 11235 Bellflower Road, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Francesca Pernice-Duca, Counseling Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
- Ching-Wen Chang, Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Lori D’Angelo, Magnolia Clubhouse, Inc., Cleveland, OH, USA
- Journal Community Mental Health Journal
- Online ISSN 1573-2789
- Print ISSN 0010-3853