Unintentional participant observation: a research method to inform peer support in mental health?

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to validate peer support in mental health care. Design/methodology/approach Literature review and meta-analysis methodology are used. Findings The unintentional nature of peer support is a valid methodology for the understanding of mental health issues and mental health care. Research limitations/implications The limitation is that peer experience should be accepted as a valued method for research. Practical implications Professional domains may not keep a monopoly of research approaches in mental health. Social implications Peer support may mean more avenues for empowerment of mental health service users from peer role models who have unintentional acquaintance with mental health issues and care. Originality/value This research refers to ethnographic precedents to describe methodology relevant to twenty-first century peer support in mental health. It is original in valuing the unintentional participant observation acquired from experience of the mental health system.