%0 Journal Article
%T Efficacy of a peer
%A Andreas Bahemann
%A Lisa Gabriel
%A Luise Nehf
%A Marie Christine Dekoj
%A Nathalie Oexle
%A Nicolas R¨¹sch
%A Tamara Waldmann
%A Thomas Becker
%A Thomas Klein
%A Thorsten Brosch
%A Tobias Staiger
%J International Journal of Social Psychiatry
%@ 1741-2854
%D 2019
%R 10.1177/0020764019846171
%X People with long-term unemployment and mental health problems often find it difficult to take active steps toward help-seeking and job search and to navigate the complex system of available services. Likewise, job center staff would welcome interventions to improve the reintegration of long-term unemployed individuals with mental health problems into the labor market. To examine the efficacy of a peer-led group program that supports unemployed people with mental health problems in terms of help-seeking, job search and recovery. Based on participatory research, a four-session group program was designed and evaluated in a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) with 42 participants, randomized to the program (n£¿=£¿23) or treatment as usual (n£¿=£¿19). Outcomes were assessed at baseline (T0), 3£¿weeks (T1), 6£¿weeks (T2) and 6£¿months later (T3). There were no significant intervention effects on primary outcomes (job search self-efficacy and help-seeking). But compared to the control group, intervention participants showed significant improvements in depressive symptoms (p£¿=£¿.02) and recovery (p£¿=£¿.04) at T2 with medium effect sizes. There were trend-level positive program effects on self-stigma, hopelessness and secrecy. This pilot RCT provides initial evidence for the efficacy of a peer-led group program to improve symptoms and recovery among unemployed participants with mental health problems
%K Unemployment
%K mental health problems
%K peer-led intervention
%K group program
%K recovery
%K job search
%U https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0020764019846171