Full access
Brief Reports
Published Online: 30 July 2014

Personal and Societal Benefits of Providing Peer Support: A Survey of Peer Support Specialists

Gene Johnson, M.S.W., Chris Magee, B.S., Mihoko Maru, M.A., Kathleen Furlong-Norman, M.Ed., M.S.W., E. Sally Rogers, Sc.D., and Kenneth Thompson, M.D.Authors Info & Affiliations
Publication: Psychiatric Services
Volume 65, Number 5
https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.201300113
PDF/EPUBformats

Abstract

Objective

Peer-delivered services have burgeoned, and evidence of the effectiveness of peer support is increasing. However, the potential benefits to peer support specialists (PSSs) themselves are not as well understood. The authors conducted a survey of PSSs to examine potential benefits.

Methods

A survey instrument was developed and refined and sent anonymously via the Internet to PSSs who had been employed for a minimum of two months by an agency that employs a large number of PSSs.

Results

A total of 253 respondents completed the survey (70% response rate). Respondents reported a variety of benefits in the intrapersonal, social, mental health, recovery, spiritual, and professional domains. Forty percent of respondents reported discontinuing at least one type of disability or social benefit.

Conclusions

Results suggest that employment as a PSS is a potent vehicle for improving recovery and quality of life. Results accrue to society in reduction of public benefits.

Formats available

You can view the full content in the following formats:

View PDF/ePubView Full Text

Supplementary Material

Supplementary Material (678_ds001.pdf)

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Psychiatric Services
Go to Psychiatric Services

Cover: Gisele, by Elizabeth Shippen Green Elliott, published in Harper's magazine, 1908. Watercolor and charcoal drawing. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, Washington, D.C.

Psychiatric Services
Volume 65 • Number 5 • May 2014
Pages: 678 - 680
PubMed: 24535565

History

Published in print: May 2014
Published online: 30 July 2014

Authors

Affiliations

Gene Johnson, M.S.W.
Mr. Johnson, Mr. Magee, and Dr. Thompson are with Recovery Innovations, Phoenix, Arizona. Ms. Maru, Ms. Furlong-Norman, and Dr. Rogers are with the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Boston University. Send correspondence to Dr. Rogers (e-mail: [email protected]).
View all articles by this author
Chris Magee, B.S.
Mr. Johnson, Mr. Magee, and Dr. Thompson are with Recovery Innovations, Phoenix, Arizona. Ms. Maru, Ms. Furlong-Norman, and Dr. Rogers are with the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Boston University. Send correspondence to Dr. Rogers (e-mail: [email protected]).
View all articles by this author
Mihoko Maru, M.A.
Mr. Johnson, Mr. Magee, and Dr. Thompson are with Recovery Innovations, Phoenix, Arizona. Ms. Maru, Ms. Furlong-Norman, and Dr. Rogers are with the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Boston University. Send correspondence to Dr. Rogers (e-mail: [email protected]).
View all articles by this author
Kathleen Furlong-Norman, M.Ed., M.S.W.
Mr. Johnson, Mr. Magee, and Dr. Thompson are with Recovery Innovations, Phoenix, Arizona. Ms. Maru, Ms. Furlong-Norman, and Dr. Rogers are with the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Boston University. Send correspondence to Dr. Rogers (e-mail: [email protected]).
View all articles by this author
E. Sally Rogers, Sc.D.
Mr. Johnson, Mr. Magee, and Dr. Thompson are with Recovery Innovations, Phoenix, Arizona. Ms. Maru, Ms. Furlong-Norman, and Dr. Rogers are with the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Boston University. Send correspondence to Dr. Rogers (e-mail: [email protected]).
View all articles by this author
Kenneth Thompson, M.D.
Mr. Johnson, Mr. Magee, and Dr. Thompson are with Recovery Innovations, Phoenix, Arizona. Ms. Maru, Ms. Furlong-Norman, and Dr. Rogers are with the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Boston University. Send correspondence to Dr. Rogers (e-mail: [email protected]).
View all articles by this author

Metrics & Citations

Metrics

Citations

Export Citations

If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.

For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu.

Format
Citation style
Style
Copy to clipboard
Tips for downloading citations

There are no citations for this item

View Options

View options

PDF/ePub

View PDF/ePub

Full Text

View Full Text

Get Access

Login options

Already a subscriber? Access your subscription through your login credentials or your institution for full access to this article.

Personal login Institutional Login Open Athens login
Item saved, go to cart
Purchase Options

Purchase this article to access the full text.

PPV Articles - Psychiatric Services

PPV Articles - Psychiatric Services

Not a subscriber?

Subscribe Now / Learn More

PsychiatryOnline subscription options offer access to the DSM-5-TR® library, books, journals, CME, and patient resources. This all-in-one virtual library provides psychiatrists and mental health professionals with key resources for diagnosis, treatment, research, and professional development.

Need more help? PsychiatryOnline Customer Service may be reached by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-368-5777 (in the U.S.) or 703-907-7322 (outside the U.S.).

Media

Figures

Other

Tables

Share

Share

Share article link

Share