Peer Support Groups for Social Isolation

No longer recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Daniel Perez Rodriguez, BA

Age: 18+

Sex: Female

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of New Mexico

Disqualifiers: Prisoners, Unable to consent, Children

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if joining peer support groups, called TERTULIAS, can reduce feelings of depression and stress while enhancing resilience and social connectedness. The focus is on assisting female immigrants from Mexico living in Albuquerque, New Mexico, who may experience isolation. Participants will either join these peer support groups or a modified control group (Modified Attention Placebo Control, MAPC). This trial suits Spanish-speaking women born in Mexico with a household income under 250% of the Federal Poverty Level. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could improve community support and well-being.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that the TERTULIAS peer support groups are safe?

Research has shown that the TERTULIAS peer support group model positively affects mental and emotional health. Participants gain better social connections and increase their knowledge. Peers, who have similar experiences, lead the discussions. This approach helps participants form meaningful connections and feel empowered.

No reports of negative side effects or safety concerns have emerged with TERTULIAS. The focus is on structured conversations and peer support, not medication or medical procedures, making it a safe option for those interested in joining. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the TERTULIAS structured dialogue peer support groups because they offer a fresh approach to tackling social isolation. Unlike traditional methods such as therapy or medication, TERTULIAS emphasizes community and conversation through structured dialogue, allowing participants to connect and support each other in a meaningful way. This peer-driven approach could foster a sense of belonging and emotional support, which are crucial for reducing feelings of isolation.

What evidence suggests that the TERTULIAS peer support groups could be effective for reducing social isolation?

Research has shown that TERTULIAS peer support groups, which participants in this trial may receive, positively affect mental and emotional health. Participants in past studies experienced less depression and more social support. These groups help people build stronger friendships, increasing resilience. This method also provides greater access to information and boosts confidence. Overall, TERTULIAS enhances social connections and reduces stress, offering a supportive community for participants. ^{1 3 4 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Janet M Page-Reeves, PhD

Principal Investigator

UNM Dept. of Family and Community Medicine

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This study is for Spanish-speaking female immigrants from Mexico, over the age of 18, living under 250% of the Federal Poverty Level in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It's not open to prisoners, children, or those unable to give consent.

Inclusion Criteria

I speak Spanish fluently.

Reports household income under 250% Federal Poverty Level

I am over 18 years old.

Exclusion Criteria

You are currently in jail or prison.

I am unable to give consent by myself.

I am under 18 years old.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants attend weekly peer group sessions designed to reduce depression and increase resilience and social support

12 months

Weekly sessions

Control

Control group participants receive bimonthly check-in calls

12 months

Bimonthly calls

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in depression, resilience, social support, and stress

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Modified Attention Placebo Control (MAPC)
• TERTULIAS structured dialogue peer support groups

Trial Overview The trial is testing 'TERTULIAS,' a peer support group designed to reduce depression and social isolation by fostering resilience and social support. Participants will be compared with others in a control group receiving modified attention.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: TERTULIAS structured dialogue peer support groups Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Structured Dialogue peer support group

Group II: Control Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Modified Attention Placebo Control

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of New Mexico

Lead Sponsor

Trials

393

Recruited

3,526,000+

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Collaborator

Trials

2,896

Recruited

8,053,000+

National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)

Collaborator

Trials

473

Recruited

1,374,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The establishment of a Peer Support Service at Brigham and Women's Hospital provides healthcare professionals with a safe space to discuss the emotional impact of adverse medical events, promoting open communication and compassion in the workplace.

This initiative highlights the importance of addressing the emotional well-being of care providers as a critical component of patient safety and quality of care, recognizing that support services can enhance the overall healthcare environment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Peer support: healthcare professionals supporting each other after adverse medical events. van Pelt, F.[2021]

Peer support groups have shown potential benefits in addiction treatment, including reductions in substance use, increased treatment engagement, and improved self-efficacy among participants, based on a review of ten studies conducted in the U.S. since 1999.

Despite these promising findings, the overall lack of rigorously tested empirical studies limits the ability to draw definitive conclusions about the effectiveness of peer support as a formal intervention in addiction treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Benefits of peer support groups in the treatment of addiction. Tracy, K., Wallace, SP.[2020]

Peer-led mutual support groups can be effective for veterans, especially when participants transition from clinician-led groups, as seen in a successful case at a Veterans Administration Medical Center.

The success of these groups may also depend on prior experiences in interpersonal process groups, which can enhance skills and cohesion among participants, facilitating a smoother shift to peer support.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Lessons learned from two peer-led mutual support groups. Viverito, KM., Cardin, SA., Johnson, LA., et al.[2019]

The 'Buddy Study' program, which includes a seminar and peer support for healthcare professionals after adverse events, received positive feedback from participants, with 91.6% satisfied with the seminar content and 69.1% feeling it helped them manage their emotional responses.

The program fostered a compassionate culture and attentiveness to colleagues' wellbeing, although it highlighted the need for ongoing support and visibility to maintain its effectiveness, suggesting that while valuable, peer support should complement other forms of support rather than replace them.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluation of'the Buddy Study', a peer support program for second victims in healthcare: a survey in two Danish hospital departments. Schrøder, K., Bovil, T., Jørgensen, JS., et al.[2022]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11864657/

Revealing the Power of Peer Support in the Lives of Women ... Conclusion. Our Tertulias peer support group model had a positive impact on participants' mental and emotional health, social networks, access to and knowledge ...

2. ctv.veeva.com ctv.veeva.com/study/tertulias-social-isolation-womens-groups-study

Tertulias Social Isolation Women's Groups Study The investigators will document results of the intervention on the primary hypotheses of a decrease in depression, and increases in resilience ...

3. bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-020-09867-z

A randomized control trial to test a peer support group ... This study will implement the “Tertulias” peer support group intervention [50] that we developed to improve health outcomes and reduce health ...

4. tandfonline.com tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00187259.2024.2361437

Revealing the power of peer support in the lives of women ... Our Tertulias peer support group model had positive impact on participants' mental and emotional health, social networks, access to and ...

5. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-depression-6-2020-483e0?lat=34.60184&lng=-117.81218

Peer Support Groups for Social Isolation · Info for Participants ... TERTULIAS structured dialogue peer support groups will have tolerable side effects & efficacy for patients with Depression Treatment, Depression and Social ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7798010/

A randomized control trial to test a peer support group ... This study will implement the “Tertulias” peer support group intervention [50] that we developed to improve health outcomes and reduce health disparities ...

7. scientia.global scientia.global/wp-content/uploads/Janet-Page-Reeves.pdf

Addressing Social Isolation and Depression among ... Overall, the Tertulias intervention is proving to be highly beneficial and empowering, highlighting the key role of peer support and meaningful connections in ...