Campus Location
Dallas Campus (Online)
Date of Award
11-2020
Document Type
Dissertation
Department
Nursing
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Committee Chair or Primary Advisor
Dr. Tonya Hartjes
Second Committee Member or Secondary Advisor
Dr. Lynx McClellan
Third Committee Member or Committee Reader
Dr. Tonya Sawyer-McGee
Abstract
Abstract
This study’s aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of an existing peer support program as an adjunct treatment for patients with depression. This retrospective evaluation analyzed the total scores of 110 patients with depression on the PHQ-9 questionnaire at the initial assessment (Time 1), at 6-weeks (Time 2), and then at 12-weeks (Time 3). The participants were divided into two groups, those who enrolled in a peer support program (n = 55) and those without peer support (n = 55). PHQ-9 total scores for each time interval were compared for the two groups utilizing independent sample t-tests. At initial assessment (Time 1), both groups reported depressive symptoms in the moderately severe range (15-19), with a mean of 15. The two groups’ total scores did not statistically differ at Time 1 prior to treatment, nor at Time 2. The two groups differed significantly (p < .001) on depressive symptoms at the 12-week follow-up (Time 3), such that outpatients assigned to peer support had lower depressive scores ranging in the moderate range (10-14). The use of a peer support program revealed a statistically significant impact by week 12 in patients with depression. The use of a peer support program may be utilized as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of depression and should be continued for a period of at least 12 weeks.
Keywords: peer, depression, effective, support, recovery, outpatient clinic, treatment
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Reeves, Donna K., "Determining the Effectiveness of a Peer Support Person in Individuals with Depression Symptoms" (2020). Digital Commons @ ACU, Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 269.
https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/etd/269
Included in
Behavioral Disciplines and Activities Commons, Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms Commons, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Commons, Mental Disorders Commons, Other Psychiatry and Psychology Commons, Psychiatric and Mental Health Commons, Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing Commons, Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy Commons, Public Health and Community Nursing Commons, Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons, Substance Abuse and Addiction Commons