International journal of environmental research and public healthPeer GroupHumansSocial SupportEmergency Responders
Peer Support Programs for First Responders: A Critical Review and Research Roadmap.
Clint Bowers, Deborah C Beidel, Victoria L Steigerwald
Published: 202510.3390/ijerph22101532
Abstract
Open AccessFirst responders face adverse health effects because they regularly encounter stressful situations and potentially traumatic events. Peer support programs have emerged as a method to reduce these adverse outcomes. A growing interest in peer programs exists despite a restricted body of research in this field. Additionally, the current research on this topic faces significant conceptual and methodological shortcomings. This paper conducts an extensive analysis of present peer support research gaps before proposing future study directions to improve our understanding of this intervention.