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

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

“…This study provides a unique perspective into the ongoing evolution of the peer specialist role by examining role-related challenges and opportunities in adapting to a new model of service provision during and beyond the COVID-19 era. Results suggest that only about half of survey respondents reported engaging in new tasks since the COVID-19 pandemic began (most commonly providing virtual peer services), which is lower than two national studies of peer specialists that found that 76% reported new tasks in May 2020 (Adams, Rogers, Edwards, et al, 2022) and 86% reported new tasks in December 2020 (Adams, Rogers, Lord, et al, 2022). This difference may be due to the fact these survey data were collected in Spring 2021, a year into the pandemic, and mostly after Texas had dropped all COVID-19 era restrictions.…”

“…Two close-ended survey questions were developed to measure peer specialist role changes and challenges related to COVID-19. These two questions were developed based on the National Association of Peer Supporters nationwide survey on the Impact of COVID-19 on Peer Specialist Work Experiences (Adams et al, 2020). Both questions offered respondents the option to elaborate on responses qualitatively.…”

“…A recent national longitudinal study found that peer specialist job tasks changed dramatically due to COVID-19, including enhanced reliance on technology, increased coordination of resources, and engagement in COVID-related tasks (Adams, Rogers, Edwards, et al, 2022; Adams, Rogers, Lord, et al, 2022). Emerging research suggests that with these role changes have come both new challenges and opportunities for peer specialists.…”

“…For example, a recent qualitative study found that as peers transitioned to delivering telehealth services during the pandemic, they experienced logistical challenges as well as challenges delivering high-quality services (Walker et al, 2022). Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic increased the vulnerabilities of individuals in services, with peer specialists reporting that the individuals they serve have experienced increased isolation, substance use, housing instability, food insecurity, and interpersonal violence (Adams, Rogers, Edwards, et al, 2022; Adams, Rogers, Lord, et al, 2022). To compound this, some research indicates that people living with enduring mental health conditions reduced their engagement with psychosocial support services during COVID-19 (Honey et al, 2021).…”