CHIPstudy: The child and youth peer support study v01
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Improving mental health peer support for children and young people: A mixed methods realist modelling study
IRAS ID
331147
Contact name
Dean Thompson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Birmingham
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Research aims
This research aims to evaluate how peer support for children and young people in mental health services works (or does not work) for different people in different circumstances. This will involve identifying how aspects of recovery change when receiving peer support, and whether someone’s background and identity (such as where they are from & their gender) can explain this.Background
Since 2017 in England, rates of mental health problems in children and young people have increased. Peer support is increasingly used to meet this need by using the experiences, knowledge, and skills of people with a history of mental health problems to help children in similar circumstances. Peer support is widely regarded to improve children’s hope for recovery, and access to mental health services.However, peer support does not appear to work for everyone. Research offers mixed findings depending on how we measure children’s recovery, and how we deliver peer support for people with very different experiences of mental health problems. We propose a different approach based on advanced research methods.
Research design
As part of an evaluation of how peer support for children and young people’s mental health works, we will:
1. Identify patterns in how children’s personal recovery (like hope & empowerment) and clinical outcomes (like anxiety symptoms) change when receiving peer support.
2. Interview patients, peer support workers, and clinical staff to understand how peer support works for different children in different circumstances.
3. Work with patients, peer support workers and services to develop guidance, training, and resources that improve peer support for children and young people.REC name
West of Scotland REC 4
REC reference
25/WS/0003
Date of REC Opinion
20 Feb 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion