Laysha Ostrow, Ph.D., Judith A. Cook, Ph.D., Mark S. Salzer, Ph.D., Morgan Pelot, B.S., Jane K. Burke-Miller, Ph.D.
Published Online:23 Jun 2022https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.202100651
This study of over 680 certified peer specialists (CPS) in four states found that those who are unemployed are more likely to be receiving Social Security disability benefits, be veterans, use outpatient counseling or therapy, and not disclose their mental health status in the workplace. These characteristics are similar to other unemployed adults with psychiatric disabilities.
Additionally, a diagnosis of a depressive disorder, open disclosure to colleagues, and working in an area of lower unemployment contributed to the likelihood of being employed in a peer services job vs. being employed in another type of job outside of peer support.
In this study, the benefits of peer support jobs, compared to non-peer support jobs, include longer job tenure, availability of employee benefits, and higher job satisfaction. The authors recommend a Department of Labor standard occupational classification for peer specialists, which would allow researchers to more easily track longer term career outcomes of this essential workforce.