Full access
Brief Reports
Published Online: 27 July 2022

Peer Support Specialist Work and Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A National Longitudinal Study

Wallis E. Adams, M.P.H., Ph.D. [email protected], E. Sally Rogers, Sc.D., Emily M. Lord, M.P.H., Jonathan P. Edwards, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., and Martha Barbone, D.V.M.Authors Info & Affiliations
Publication: Psychiatric Services
Volume 73, Number 12
https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.202100718
Track CitationsAdd to favorites
PDF/EPUBFormats

Abstract

Objective:

The study followed up with peer support specialists (PSSs) responding to an earlier survey to assess the pandemic’s continued employment and personal effects.

Methods:

A December 2020 online survey was conducted with respondents to a May 2020 survey. Items on employment status, work tasks, challenges, support, and benefits were included. Responses were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results:

A total of 496 PSSs completed both surveys. Unemployment remained at 7%. The proportion with full-time employment increased by December, but financial instability also increased. Tasks involving individual support and group facilitation, which had decreased significantly, rebounded somewhat by December, when nearly all PSSs (86%) reported having some new tasks. Job satisfaction remained stable and high. In both surveys, about 75% reported pandemic-related benefits. Symptoms and housing instability among clients increased.

Conclusions:

Pandemic-related PSS unemployment was relatively stable, and work tasks evolved. Respondents reported increasing needs among clients, as well as pandemic-related work benefits.

Formats available

You can view the full content in the following formats:

View PDF/EPUBView Full Text

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Psychiatric Services
Go to Psychiatric Services
Psychiatric Services
Volume 73 • Number 12 • December 01, 2022
Pages: 1405 - 1408
PubMed: 35895840

History

Received: 17 December 2021
Revision received: 23 February 2022
Revision received: 7 March 2022
Accepted: 11 March 2022
Published online: 27 July 2022
Published in print: December 01, 2022

Keywords

  1. Coronavirus/COVID-19
  2. Rehabilitation/psychosocial
  3. Peer support workers
  4. Staff relationships/roles
  5. Unemployment

Authors

Details

Wallis E. Adams, M.P.H., Ph.D. [email protected]
Department of Sociology, California State University East Bay, Hayward (Adams); Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Boston University, Boston (Adams, Rogers); Boston Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Boston (Lord); Columbia University School of Social Work, New York City, and National Association of Peer Supporters, Washington D.C. (Edwards); private practice, Norton, Massachusetts (Barbone).
View all articles by this author
E. Sally Rogers, Sc.D.
Department of Sociology, California State University East Bay, Hayward (Adams); Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Boston University, Boston (Adams, Rogers); Boston Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Boston (Lord); Columbia University School of Social Work, New York City, and National Association of Peer Supporters, Washington D.C. (Edwards); private practice, Norton, Massachusetts (Barbone).
View all articles by this author
Emily M. Lord, M.P.H.
Department of Sociology, California State University East Bay, Hayward (Adams); Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Boston University, Boston (Adams, Rogers); Boston Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Boston (Lord); Columbia University School of Social Work, New York City, and National Association of Peer Supporters, Washington D.C. (Edwards); private practice, Norton, Massachusetts (Barbone).
View all articles by this author
Jonathan P. Edwards, Ph.D., L.C.S.W.
Department of Sociology, California State University East Bay, Hayward (Adams); Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Boston University, Boston (Adams, Rogers); Boston Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Boston (Lord); Columbia University School of Social Work, New York City, and National Association of Peer Supporters, Washington D.C. (Edwards); private practice, Norton, Massachusetts (Barbone).
View all articles by this author
Martha Barbone, D.V.M.
Department of Sociology, California State University East Bay, Hayward (Adams); Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Boston University, Boston (Adams, Rogers); Boston Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Boston (Lord); Columbia University School of Social Work, New York City, and National Association of Peer Supporters, Washington D.C. (Edwards); private practice, Norton, Massachusetts (Barbone).
View all articles by this author

Notes

Send correspondence to Dr. Adams ([email protected]).

Competing Interests

The authors report no financial relationships with commercial interests.

Funding Information

Development of this report was supported by grant 90RAREM0001 from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). NIDILRR is a center within the HHS Administration for Community Living (ACL).The contents do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, HHS, or ACL, and no endorsement by the federal government should be assumed.

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

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

×

As described within the American Psychiatric Association (APA)'s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, this website utilizes cookies, including for the purpose of offering an optimal online experience and services tailored to your preferences. Please read the entire Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. By closing this message, browsing this website, continuing the navigation, or otherwise continuing to use the APA's websites, you confirm that you understand and accept the terms of the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, including the utilization of cookies.