Journal of Child and Family Studies

, Volume 25, Issue 8, pp 2541–2553 | Cite as

The Effects of Introducing Peer Support to Young People with a Chronic Illness

  • Peter Lewis
  • Emily Klineberg
  • Susan Towns
  • Katie Moore
  • Kate Steinbeck
Original Paper
First Online:

Abstract

Peer support groups have been an increasingly popular way of limiting the adverse effects of life with a chronic illness for adolescents although few groups have been rigorously evaluated. This paper reports the findings of a realistic evaluation of a hospital based peer support program Chronic Illness Peer Support (ChIPS), in Sydney, Australia. We collected qualitative interview and focus group data from four participant groups; new ChIPS members, their parents, older members who had been in ChIPS for two or more years, and ChIPS co-ordinators past and present. Results of qualitative data have been aggregated and organised into three categories; program attendance: getting in and staying in; program outcomes for young people: personal growth and development; and social connection. Questionnaires were also administered to fourteen new ChIPS members but no significant changes in distress or self-esteem were recorded between the beginning and the end of the short study period. The ChIPS Introductory Program fulfilled its aim, entering young people with chronic illness into the peer support program. There was evidence of initial personal growth and development in those young people, with potential for enhanced social connection from ongoing participation in ChIPS activities.

Keywords

Adolescent Peer support Chronic illness Children Social support 
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Notes

Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge the contribution made to this study by the young people, their parents, and ChIPS co-ordinators past and present who generously donated their time to the conduct of this research. We also acknowledge the support of our colleagues in the Department of Adolescent Medicine at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead—especially Ms Crystal Hampstead who transcribed the focus group recordings, the volunteer ChIPS program assistant Ms Sharne Milgate, and Ms Tina Cunningham for her administrative co-ordination and assistance with data collection. Finally, we would like to thank our generous benefactor, the Ottomin Charitable Foundation, for funding this study. EK was supported by a Marie Bashir Clinical Research Fellowship in Adolescent Health.

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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media New York 2016

Authors and Affiliations

  • Peter Lewis
    • 2
    • 6
  • Emily Klineberg
    • 1
    • 4
  • Susan Towns
    • 2
    • 3
  • Katie Moore
    • 2
  • Kate Steinbeck
    • 1
    • 5
  1. 1.Academic Department of Adolescent MedicineThe Children’s Hospital at WestmeadWestmeadAustralia
  2. 2.Department of Adolescent MedicineThe Children’s Hospital at WestmeadWestmeadAustralia
  3. 3.Sydney Medical SchoolThe University of SydneyWestmeadAustralia
  4. 4.NSW Kids and FamiliesNSW HealthNorth SydneyAustralia
  5. 5.The Medical Foundation Chair in Adolescent Medicine, The Sydney Medical SchoolThe University of SydneySydneyAustralia
  6. 6.School of Nursing and MidwiferyWestern Sydney UniversityPenrithAustralia

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