Impact of COVID-19 on Peer Support Specialists in the United States: Findings From a Cross-Sectional Online Survey

Adams, Wallis E.; Rogers, E. Sally; Edwards, Jonathan P.; Lord, Emily; McKnight, Lauren; Barbone, Martha

doi:10.1176/appi.ps.202000915

Cited by 15 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…It may also be due to the fact that many of these jobs were in the social service and behavioral health fields, where the need has been especially acute during the pandemic. This finding also echoes that of the peer specialist study mentioned above (Adams & Rogers, 2021), which also was done early in the pandemic and also found low rates of job loss in this occupational category.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

The importance of employment to workers with preexisting behavioral health disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cook¹,

Swarbrick²,

Boss³

et al. 2022

Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal

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Objective: Little is known about the employment experiences of people with preexisting behavioral health conditions during the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, despite the recognized importance of work for this group. Method: Two hundred and seventy two adults with behavioral health conditions, recruited through statewide mental health networks in NJ and NY, completed an online survey in April-May 2020. Multivariable analysis examined the effects of sleep and dietary changes, COVID-19 exposure, anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2), and depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-2) on employment status and job changes. Respondents' open-ended descriptions of pandemic-related changes in employment were analyzed using the constant comparative method. Results: Two-thirds (65%) were employed, only 4% became unemployed, and 29% reported changes in their jobs as a result of the pandemic. In logistic regression analysis controlling for age, race, education and gender, workers were more likely than nonworkers to report altered eating and sleeping habits, but not greater anxiety or depression. However, those whose jobs changed were more likely to report COVID-19 exposure, altered sleep patterns, clinically significant anxiety symptoms, and both anxiety and depressive symptoms compared to those whose jobs had not changed. Qualitative analysis revealed work's positive impact (pride in job performance, using new skills, feeling safer working from home) and its negative effects (lifestyle disruption, worry about job security, isolation from coworkers). Conclusions and Implications for Practice: This is the first study to suggest the important role that work played for people with preexisting behavioral health disorders during the pandemic, with both positive and negative influences, and important implications for services and supports. Impact and ImplicationsStudy findings point to the important role work plays in the lives of employees with preexisting behavioral health conditions during the pandemic, with implications for designing services and supports. This includes the need for mental health peer and professional support, including evidence-based supported employment services, vocationally oriented peer support, health and wellness education, and infection precaution assurance. Also needed is help balancing work, family, and caregiving to reduce employee stress and enhance job satisfaction.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

The importance of employment to workers with preexisting behavioral health disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cook¹,

Swarbrick²,

Boss³

et al. 2022

Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Interviewees also reported new career development opportunities such as the opportunity to “get creative” and explore new strategies to engage people in services, enhanced training and learning opportunities as a result of more virtual training offerings, and opportunities related to greater flexibility, convenience, and accessibility of virtual meetings, virtual trainings and working from home. These findings build upon those of a recent national survey of peers that found that 73% of respondents reported positive impacts or benefits from the pandemic, mostly related to the adoption of technology that allowed for remote support provision, including working from home, less time spent commuting, learning new technological skills, and serving people who they were unable to previously serve due to transportation or other barriers (Adams, Rogers, Edwards, et al, 2022). Taken together, the existing research suggests that peer specialist employers should continue to provide peers with flexible job options, including options to work from home, provide telehealth services, and attend meetings and trainings virtually.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 73%

Evolution of the peer specialist role during COVID-19: Challenges and opportunities for innovation beyond the COVID-19 era.

Lodge¹,

Earley²,

Peterson³

et al. 2023

Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal

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Objective: To examine peer specialist role-related challenges and opportunities in adapting to a new model of service provision during and beyond the COVID-19 era. Method: This mixed-methods study analyzes data from a survey (n = 186) as well as in-depth interviews (n = 30) with certified peer specialists in Texas. Results: Peers described facing several challenges related to COVID-19 service delivery (e.g., fewer options for providing peer support, issues with access to reliable technology) as well as challenges related to adapting to changes to the peer role (e.g., challenges supporting people in services’ community resource needs, challenges building rapport with people in services virtually). However, results also indicate that a new model of service provision during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic presented peers with new opportunities to provide enhanced peer services, new career development opportunities, and new opportunities related to increased job flexibility. Conclusions and Implications for Practice: Results suggest the importance of developing trainings on providing virtual peer support, increasing technological access for peers and individuals in services, and providing peers with flexible job options and resiliency-focused supervision.

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“… 2021 ), an increased focus on referral resources by peer support specialists (Adams et al . 2021 ) and redeployment to other roles, including outside of qualified discipline (Langdon et al . 2021 ; Limoges et al .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…MHWs were required to undertake responsibilities that were beyond, or differed from, their standard duties (Adams et al . 2021 ; Kagan et al . 2021 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of COVID‐19 on the mental health workforce: A rapid review

Crocker

Gnatt

Haywood

et al. 2022

Int J Mental Health Nurs

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The COVID‐19 pandemic led to significant adaptations to healthcare. Provision of mental healthcare in a changing environment presented healthcare workers with unique challenges and demands, including changes in workload and expectations. To inform current and future healthcare service responses, and adaptations, the current review aimed to collate and examine the impact of the pandemic on mental healthcare workers (MHWs). We conducted a rapid systematic review to examine the overall impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on MHWs. Searches were conducted in Ovid Medline and PsycInfo and restricted to articles published from 2020. Inclusion criteria specified articles written in English, published in peer‐reviewed journals, and that examined any outcome of the impact of COVID‐19 on MHWs; 55 articles fulfilled these criteria. Outcomes were categorized into ‘work‐related outcomes’ and ‘personal outcomes’. Mental healthcare workers worldwide experienced a range of work‐related and personal adversities during the pandemic. Key work‐related outcomes included increased workload, changed roles, burnout, decreased job satisfaction, telehealth challenges, difficulties with work‐life balance, altered job performance, vicarious trauma and increased workplace violence. Personal outcomes included decreased well‐being, increased psychological distress and psychosocial difficulties. These outcomes differed between inpatient, outpatient and remote settings. The COVID‐19 pandemic significantly altered the delivery of mental healthcare and MHWs experienced both work‐related and personal adversities during the COVID‐19 pandemic. With the continuation of changes introduced to healthcare in the initial stages of the pandemic, it will be important to maintain efforts to monitor negative outcomes and ensure supports for MHWs, going forward.

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Impact of COVID-19 on Peer Support Specialists in the United States: Findings From a Cross-Sectional Online Survey

Cited by 15 publications

References 31 publications

The importance of employment to workers with preexisting behavioral health disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The importance of employment to workers with preexisting behavioral health disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Evolution of the peer specialist role during COVID-19: Challenges and opportunities for innovation beyond the COVID-19 era.

The impact of COVID‐19 on the mental health workforce: A rapid review

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