Use and benefits of peer mentoring in support of employment for persons with physical disabilities: a systematic review.

Abstract

Describe the use and benefits of peer mentoring to inform development of a curriculum to train peer mentors on employment issues experienced by people with physical disabilities. We conducted a systematic review by searching MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and ProQuest dissertations and theses global. The PICO criteria were the population of adults with physical disabilities; interventions of employment-focused peer mentoring; comparison of usual care or no peer mentoring; and outcomes of employment, employment retention, and return to work. We assessed methodological quality using standardized checklists. We identified 3569 articles; eight met inclusion criteria. Three articles were randomized controlled trials. Five articles used quantitative design with standardized questionnaires, two studies were qualitative, and one article used mixed methods design. Three studies showed increased participation in school or work after peer mentoring. Four studies identified social and emotional benefits from peer mentoring. There are considerable research opportunities in peer mentoring focused on employment for adults with physical disabilities. Best practices include a defined program utilizing a variety of delivery methods. Future research should focus on collecting data to develop a peer mentoring curriculum on employment for persons with physical disabilities.