‘I (really) know what you mean’. Mechanisms of experiential peer support for young people with criminal behavior: a qualitative study

Margriet Lenkens,Gera E Nagelhout,Loïs Schenk,Miranda Sentse,Sabine Severiens,Godfried Engbersen,Lisa Dijkhoff,Frank J Van Lenthe

doi:10.1080/0735648x.2020.1848608

Abstract

ABSTRACT Individuals with a criminal background are increasingly involved in support for people with criminal behavior. However, research into what happens in the relationship between these experiential peers (EPs) and clients is scarce. This qualitative study investigates EPs’ perspectives on the mechanisms of experiential peer support and how this compares to regular support by care providers without lived experiences. We interviewed seventeen EPs who provided support to young people with criminal behavior. The results suggest that shared experiences between EPs and their clients play a central role. EPs identify with their clients, leading to empathy and a non-judgmental attitude. Clients seem to perceive EPs as credible role models who offer hope. EPs’ lived experiences seem to induce a realistic view of desistance and an emphasis on a humane relationship with their client, which is characterized by equality, reciprocity, trust and sincerity. This recovery-oriented approach towards criminal behavior and desistance could also be utilized by non-EPs. Future research should investigate others’ perspectives on and experiences with experiential peer support, in particular those of clients and co-workers.

Highlights

Individuals with lived experiences are increasingly involved in mental health care services offering support to several populations, including people with psychiatric disorders or substance abuse problems
We describe our methods according to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) (Tong, Sainsbury, and Craig 2007)
All experiential peers’ (EPs) at least partially disclosed their background to their clients and all but one said they were open about their involvement in criminal behavior, the amount of detail they share with clients varied

Summary

Introduction

Individuals with lived experiences are increasingly involved in mental health care services offering support to several populations, including people with psychiatric disorders or substance abuse problems. The involvement of EPs is becoming more common in the forensic field, which is concerned with individuals who display criminal behavior and have subsequently gone through the judicial system. In the Netherlands, the importance of recovery-oriented interventions, including experiential peer support, is increasingly being recognized in forensic mental health care. The incorporation of peer mentoring fits with the risk-need-responsivity model, a guiding framework for treatment of individuals with criminal behavior (Andrews, Bonta, and Wormith 2011). Research has shown that treatments following these principles are associated with significant reductions in recidivism, whereas interventions failing to adhere to them yield minimal reductions in recidivism (Andrews, Bonta, and Wormith 2011)

Objectives

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Conclusion