Facilitating peer-led computer training with Crossroads Clubhouse: A participatory action research project

Abstract

Crossroads Clubhouse is a mental health organization that allows individuals living with psychiatric disorders to take an active role in their own recovery and is located in Sydney, Nova Scotia. Recommendations from a Needs Assessment study conducted two years ago suggested that members of Crossroads could benefit from and would like to participate in a peer-led computer-training program. The purpose of this study was to design, implement, and evaluate a computer-training program that allowed members with IT experience to act as peer tutors who taught basic computer skills to other members. This training was designed to improve computer skills, computer attitudes, self-efficacy and empowerment. This study was a mixed methods design that used focus groups, interviews, and scales/measures to evaluate whether the computer-training program was working effectively, and if it facilitated empowerment and self-efficacy in both tutors (n=3) and learners (n=ll). Grounded theory was used to- analyze and identify common themes that emerged from the data and Wilcoxin signed rank tests were used to analyze the quantitative data. The quantitative data indicates there was a significant increase in the amount of material learned by the learners within the study. Four main categories of themes emerged from the qualitative data:contributions to learners' motivations; overall concerns; the benefits of peer-led computer training; and empowerment. Themes that emerged from the peer-learner focus groups were a desire for online communication with family and higher comfort levels with peer-tutors being Crossroads members. Themes that emerged from the peer tutors are benefits associated with Crossroads members being peer tutors and an increase in self-esteem. A desire for further computer training at Crossroads was also a theme that emerged from the three different types of participants.