Abused women and peer-provided social support: the nature and dynamics of reciprocity in a crisis setting.

Research has demonstrated clearly the positive effect social support can have on health. Peer-provided social support, in the forms of both one-on-one peer counseling and peer support groups, is encouraged by health care providers as an effective and inexpensive way to enhance mental health in at-risk client populations. This article examines data from two studies that included information about the use of social support by abused women during their stay in a transition house. Analysis revealed a potential for problems when vulnerable clients offer support to other vulnerable clients. The ability to offer support was viewed by the "givers" to be evidence of their own recovery. Women needed to give this support, and, therefore, it was often difficult to know whose needs were being met. The complexities of these relationships are discussed. An understanding of the issues involved will ensure that maximum benefit with minimum risk can be derived by participants in supportive exchanges between peers.