Effectiveness of Peer Mentoring for the Prevention of Dependency: A Pilot Study in a Rural Setting.

Aim: To analyse the effectiveness of an active ageing intervention modality through peer mentoring.

Design: A quasi-experimental research study is carried out through three groups, one control (educational workshops on active ageing given by professionals) and two experimental (workshops given by peers with digital or face-to-face exposure).

Methods: All groups share duration (7 weeks) and content, modifying the route of exposure. The effectiveness of the model is measured through the variables of physical health, mental health and social support. Loneliness and the need for care are also controlled for.

Results: The total sample consists of n = 209 people aged over 60 living in a rural context, of which n = 12 form the volunteer/mentor group. Active ageing interventions show an improvement in the perception of physical and mental health among people in need of some form of care, with all three modalities being equally effective. The impact on social support is analysed by controlling for the loneliness and social participation variable; in these cases, the face-to-face experimental group of peers is more effective than the others.

Conclusions: The peer-to-peer methodology is as effective as the traditional methodology with a practitioner in maintaining and improving health perception, and the face-to-face methodology with peers is more useful in fostering social support among people experiencing loneliness.

Implications for the profession and/or patient care: Peer mentoring is presented as a good strategy to improve social support for older people and to combat loneliness.

Impact: To address the prevention of dependency through the promotion of active ageing. Peer mentoring is confirmed to have a significant impact on social support and could be a socio-educational tool applicable to older people experiencing loneliness.

Reporting method: This study has adhered to JBI guidelines. JBI critical appraisal checklist for quasi-experimental studies has been used.

Patient or public contribution: Volunteer mentors contributed to the design and delivery of the workshops.