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Integration of Peer Specialists Working in Mental Health Service Settings

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Abstract

Peer specialists are people in recovery employed to share their experiences to promote the recovery of others affected by mental illness. Examining workplace integration indicators that predict the job satisfaction of peer specialists employed in a variety of behavioral health settings is critical to ensure the retention and effectiveness of this viable workforce. A survey of Texas Certified Peer Specialists (n = 86) examined workplace integration indicators. Results suggest that supervisor’s understanding of the peer specialist job role has a significant impact on job satisfaction. Better workforce integration may be achieved through targeted efforts to educate supervisors about peer specialist job roles.

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Acknowledgments

This study was initially supported by Grant Number 5 U79 SM57485 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) through a contract with the Texas DSHS. The authors wish to acknowledge the Texas DSHS, Via Hope, and the peer specialists of the State of Texas for their contributions to this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Texas Institute for Excellence in Mental Health, School of Social Work, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA

    Wendy Kuhn, Jillian Bellinger, Stacey Stevens-Manser & Laura Kaufman

  2. 1717 West 6th Street, Suite 310, Austin, TX, 78703, USA

    Wendy Kuhn, Jillian Bellinger, Stacey Stevens-Manser & Laura Kaufman

Authors
  1. Wendy Kuhn
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  2. Jillian Bellinger
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  3. Stacey Stevens-Manser
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  4. Laura Kaufman
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Correspondence to Wendy Kuhn.

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Disclaimer: The contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of SAMHSA or Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).

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Kuhn, W., Bellinger, J., Stevens-Manser, S. et al. Integration of Peer Specialists Working in Mental Health Service Settings. Community Ment Health J 51, 453–458 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-015-9841-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-015-9841-0

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