Exploring the impact of one-to-one peer support on recovery processes in the early psychosis intervention programme (EPIP) in Singapore

ABSTRACT

Aims: Peers4Rs (Remembering Resilience, Respect and Recovery) was established within the Early Psychosis Intervention Programme (EPIP) in 2010 to promote client advocacy and recovery. Despite recommendations for peer support in early intervention services, there is a general lack of research on its impact. Current research evaluating peer support are heterogeneous in relation to interventions and outcomes, limiting research quality. This exploratory study aims to evaluate oneto- one peer support intervention on recovery processes in people with early psychosis in Singapore, during the COVID-19 period. Method(s) Data from 26 clients with first-episode psychosis (FEP), aged between 15 and 44 years, who were accepted into the service between 2021 and 2022, was included in the analysis. One-to-one peer support intervention was delivered over phone/video call or inperson by certified Peer Support Specialists (PSSs). The 22-item selfreport Process of Recovery Questionnaire (QPR) was administered at pre- and post-intervention. Paired-sample t-test was run. Result(s) Pre- and post- scores were compared before and after completing the one-to-one peer support intervention. On average, post scores (M = 62.77, SD = 7.60) were higher than pre scores (M = 49.31, SD = 12.07). This improvement, 13.46, 95% CI [9.26, 17.67], was statistically significant, t (25) = 6.59, p < .001, Cohen's d = 1.34. Conclusion(s) Based on preliminary results, clients with FEP grew in their recovery process through the one-to-one peer support intervention in EPIP. This finding is promising, given small sample sizes and limits in mode of contact during the pandemic, lending support to further discussions.