Providing peer support to individuals with psychiatric disabilities has emerged as a promising modality of mental health services. These services are delivered by individuals who experience mental illnesses themselves. The purpose of this study was to explore how working as a peer provider can enhance personal recovery. The study was conducted with 31 peer providers employed in a variety of mental health agencies. Data were collected through face-to-face semistructured interviews and analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Qualitative analysis revealed a wide range of recovery benefits for the peer providers. The benefits span across five wellness domains: foundational, emotional, spiritual, social, and occupational. In addition, analysis revealed five role-related and five work-environment-related mechanisms of beneficial impact. The role of sharing one’s personal story is highlighted as contributing to positively reauthoring one’s self-narrative. Implications for peer training, job development, and workplace supports are discussed.
AngusL. E.McLoedJ. (2004). The handbook of narrative and psychotherapy: Practice, theory, and research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
3.
AnthonyW. A. (1993). Recovery from mental illness: The guiding vision of the mental health service system in the 1990s. Psychosocial Rehabilitation Journal, 16(4), 11-23.
4.
BeebleM. L.SalemD. A. (2009). Understanding the phases of recovery from serious mental illness: The roles of referent and expert power in a mutual-help setting. Journal of Community Psychology, 37(2), 249-267. doi:10.1002/jcop.2029110.1002/jcop.20291
5.
BrunerJ. (2004). The narrative creation of self. In AngusL. E.McLoedJ. (Eds.), The handbook of narrative and psychotherapy: Practice, theory, and research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
6.
BullockW. A.EnsingD. S.AlloyV. E.WeddleC. C. (2000). Leadership educations: Evaluation of a program to promote recovery in persons with psychiatric disabilities. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 24(1), 3-13.
ChamberlinJ. (1995). Mental health: Choice and dignity. Magazine of the World Health Organization, 48(5), 16-17.
11.
ChinmanM.YoungA. S.HassellJ.DavidsonL. (2006). Toward the implementation of mental health consumer-provider services. Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research, 33(2), 176-195. doi:10.1007/s11414-006-9009-310.1007/s11414-006-9009-3
12.
ClayS.SchellB.CorriganP. W.RalphR. O. (Eds.). (2005). On our own together: Peer programs for people with mental illness. Nashville, TN: Vanderbilt University Press.
13.
CopelandM. E. (2002). Wellness recovery action plan. West Dummerston, VT: Peach Press.
14.
CopelandM. E.MeadS. (2004). Wellness recovery action plan & peer support: Personal, group and program development. West Dummerston, VT: Peach Press.
15.
DavidsonL.ChinmanM.KloosB.WeingartenR.StaynerD.TebesJ. K. (1999). Peer support among individuals with severe mental illness: A review of the evidence. Clinical Psychology, 6(2), 165-187. doi:10.1093/clipsy/6.2.16510.1093/clipsy/6.2.165
16.
DavidsonL.ChinmanM.SellsD.RoweM. (2006). Peer support among adults with serious mental illness: A report from the field. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 32(3), 443-450. doi:10.1093/schbul/sbj04310.1093/schbul/sbj043
17.
DavidsonL.O’ConnellM. J.TandoraJ.StahealiM.EvansA. C. (2005). Recovery in serious mental illness: Paradigm shift or shibboleth. In DavidsonL.HardingSpaniolL.(Eds.), Recovery from severe mental illnesses: Research evidence and implications for practice (Vol. 1, pp. 5-25). Boston, MA: Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Boston University.
18.
DeeganP. E. (1988). Recovery: The lived experience of rehabilitation. Psychosocial Rehabilitation Journal, 11(4), 11-19.
19.
DeeganP. E. (1996). Recovery as a journey of the heart. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 19(3), 91-97.
20.
DeeganP. E. (1997). Recovery and empowerment for people with psychiatric disabilities. Social Work and Health Care, 25(3), 11-24. doi:10.1300/J010v25n03_0210.1300/J010v25n03_02
21.
DrakeR. E. (2000). Introduction to a special series on recovery. Community Mental Health Journal, 36(2), 207-208.
22.
DunnH. L. (1977). High-level wellness. Thorofare, NJ: Charles B. Slack.
23.
FarkasM.GagneC.AnthonyW.ChamberlinJ. (2005). Implementing recovery oriented evidence based programs: Identifying the critical dimensions. Community Mental Health Journal, 41(2), 141-158. doi:10.1007/s10597-005-2649-610.1007/s10597-005-2649-6
24.
FeltonC. J.StastnyP.ShernD. L.BlanchA.DonahueS.KnightE.BrownC. (1995). Consumers as peer specialists on intensive case management teams: Impact on client outcomes. Psychiatric Services, 46(10), 1037-1044.
25.
FreseF. J.DavisW. W. (1997). The consumer-survivor movement, recovery, and consumer professionals. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 28(3), 243-245. doi:10.1037/0735-7028.28.3.24310.1037/0735-7028.28.3.243
26.
GalanterM. (1988). Zealous self-help groups as adjuncts to psychiatric treatment: A study of Recovery, Inc. American Journal of Psychiatry, 145(10), 1248-1253.
27.
GatesL.AkabasS. (2007). Developing strategies to integrate peer-providers into the staff of mental health agencies. Administration and Policy in Mental Health & Mental Health Services Research, 34(3), 293-306. doi:10.1007/s10488-006-0109-410.1007/s10488-006-0109-4
28.
GoldstromI. D.CampbellJ.RogersJ. A.LambertD. B.BlacklowB.HendersonM. J.ManderscheidR. W. (2006). National estimates for mental health mutual support groups, self-help organizations, and consumer-operated services. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 33(1), 92-103. doi:10.1007/s10488-005-0019-x10.1007/s10488-005-0019-x
HardingC. M.BrooksG. W.AshikagaT.StraussJ. S.BreierA. (1987a). The Vermont longitudinal study of persons with severe mental illness: I. Methodology, study sample, and overall status 32 years later. American Journal of Psychiatry, 144, 718-726.
31.
HardingC. M.BrooksG. W.AshikagaT.StraussJ. S.BreierA. (1987b). The Vermont longitudinal study of persons with severe mental illness: II. Long-term outcome of subjects who retrospectively met DSM-III criteria for schizophrenia. American Journal of Psychiatry, 144, 727-735.
32.
HatfieldA. B. (1994). Recovery from mental illness. Journal of the California Alliance for the Mentally Ill, 5(3), 6-7.
33.
HinshawS. P. (2007). The mark of shame: Stigma of mental illness and an agenda for change. New York: Oxford University Press.
34.
HutchinsonD. (1996). Promoting wellness in rehabilitation and recovery: A call to action. Community Support Network News, 11(2), 1-4.
35.
HutchinsonD. S.AnthonyW. A.AshcroftL.JohnsonG.DunnE.LyassA.RogersE. S. (2006). The personal and vocational impact of training and employing people with psychiatric disabilities as providers. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 29(3), 205-214. doi:10.2975/29.2006.205.21310.2975/29.2006.205.213
36.
JacobsonN. (2001). Experiencing recovery: A dimensional analysis of consumers’ recovery narratives. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 24(3), 248-256.
KatzA. H.BenderE. I. (1976). Self-help groups in Western society: History and prospects. Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 12(3), 265-282. doi:10.1177/002188 63760120030210.1177/002188 637601200302
39.
KatzA. H.BenderE. I. (Eds.). (1990). Helping one another: Self-help groups in a changing world. Oakland, CA: Third Party.
KeoghC. B. (1979). How it started . . . in a nutshell. In GROW comes of age: A celebration and a vision! (pp. 10-11). Sydney, Australia: GROW.
42.
KeyesC. L. M. (2005). Mental illness and/or mental health? Investigating axioms of the complete state model of health. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 73(3), 539-548. doi:10.1037/0022-006X.73.3.53910.1037/0022-006X.73.3.539
43.
KurtzL. F.ChambonA. (1987). Comparison of self-help groups for mental health. Health & Social Work, 12(4), 275-283.
44.
LeeD. T. (1971). Recovery, Inc.: Aid in transition from hospital to community. Mental Hygiene, 55(2), 194-198.
45.
LeeteE. (1994). Stressor, symptom, or sequelae: Remission, recovery, or cure?Journal of the California Alliance for the Mentally Ill, 5(3), 16-17.
46.
LovejoyM. (1982). Expectations and the recovery process. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 8(4), 605-609.
47.
ManciniM. A.HardimanE. R.LawsonH. A. (2005). Making sense of it all: Consumer providers’ theories about factors facilitating and impeding recovery from psychiatric disabilities. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 29(1), 48-55. doi:10.2975/29.2005.48.5510.2975/29.2005.48.55
48.
ManciniM. A.LawsonH. A. (2009). Facilitating positive emotional labor in peer-providers of mental health services. Administration in Social Work, 33(1), 3-22. doi:10.1080/0364310080250861910.1080/03643100802508619
49.
MatusekJ. A.KnudsonR. M. (2009). Rethinking recovery from eating disorders: Spiritual and political dimensions. Qualitative Health Research, 19, 697-707. doi:10.1177/104973230933407710.1177/1049732309334077
50.
McCorkleB. H.DunnE. C.WanY.GagneC. (2009). Compeer friends: A qualitative study of a volunteer friendship programme for people with serious mental illness. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 55(4), 291-305. doi:10.1177/002076400809709010.1177/0020764008097090
MinS. Y.WhitecraftJ.RothbardA. B.SalzerM. S. (2007). Peer support for persons with co-occurring disorders and community tenure: A survival analysis. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 30(3), 207-213. doi:10.2975/30.3.2007 .207.21310.2975/30.3.2007 .207.213
53.
MollerM. D.MurphyM. F. (1997). The three r’s: Psychiatric rehabilitation wellness program. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 20(3), 42-48.
54.
MoranG.RussinovaZ.StepasK. (in press). Toward understanding the impact of occupational characteristics on the recovery and growth processes of peer-providers. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal.
55.
MowbrayC. T.MoxleyD. P.CollinsM. E. (1998). Consumers as mental health providers: First-person accounts of benefits and limitations. Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research, 25(4), 397-411. doi:10.1007/BF0228751010.1007/BF02287510
56.
MueserK. T.BeckerD. R.TorreyW. C.XieH.BondG. R.DrakeR. E.DainB. J. (1997). Work and nonvocational domains of functioning in persons with severe mental illness: A longitudinal analysis. Journal of Nervous Mental Disease, 185(7), 419-426. doi:10.1097/00005053-199707000-0000110.1097/00005053-199707000-00001
57.
NelsonG.OchockaJ.GriffinK.LordJ. (1998). “Nothing about me, without me”: Participatory action research with self-help/mutual aid organizations for psychiatric consumer/survivors. American Journal of Community Psychology, 26(6), 881-912. doi:10.1023/A:102229812981210.1023/A:1022298129812
58.
New Freedom Commission on Mental Health. (2003). Achieving the promise: Transforming mental health care in America. Final report (DHHS Pub. No. SMA-03-3831). Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Retrieved from http://store.samhsa.gov/product/SMA03-3831
59.
NVivo. (1999). (Version 1.3) [Computer software]. Doncaster, Australia: QSR International Party Ltd.
60.
OchockaJ.NelsonG.JanzenR. (2005). Moving forward: Negotiating self and external circumstances in recovery. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 28(4), 315-322. doi:10.2975/28.2005.315.32210.2975/28.2005.315.322
61.
OnkenS. J.CraigC. M.RidgwayP.RalphR. O.CookJ. A. (2007). An analysis of the definitions and elements of recovery: A review of the literature. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 31(1), 9-22. doi:10.2975/31.1.2007.9.2210.2975/31.1.2007.9.22
62.
RatzlaffS.McDiarmidD.MartyD.RappC. (2006). The Kansas consumer as provider program: Measuring the effects of a supported education initiative. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 29(3), 174-182. doi:10.2975/29.2006.174.18210.2975/29.2006.174.182
63.
RiessmanF. (1965). The ‘helper’ therapy principle. Social Work, 10(2), 27-32.
64.
RiessmanF.CarrollD. (1995). Redefining self-help: Policy and practice. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
65.
RiveraJ. J.SullivanA. M.ValentiS. S. (2007). Adding consumer-providers to intensive case management: Does it improve outcome?Psychiatric Services, 58(6), 802-809. doi:10.1176/appi.ps.58.6.80210.1176/appi.ps.58.6.802
66.
RoeD.ChopraM. (2003). Beyond coping with mental illness: Toward personal growth. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 73(3), 334-344. doi:10.1037/0002-9432 .73.3.33410.1037/0002-9432 .73.3.334
67.
RoscoeL. J. (2009). Wellness: A review of theory and measurement for counselors. Journal of Counseling and Development, 87(2), 216-226.
68.
RyffC. D. (1989). Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations on the meaning of psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57(6), 1069-1081. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.57.6.106910.1037/0022-3514.57.6.1069
69.
RyffC. D.SingerB. (2006). Best news yet on the six-factor model of well-being. Social Science Research, 35(4), 1103-1119. doi:10.1016/j.ssresearch.2006.01.00210.1016/j.ssresearch.2006.01.002
70.
SabinJ. E.DanielsN. (2003). Managed care: Strengthening the consumer voice in managed care: VII. The Georgia peer specialist program. Psychiatric Services, 54(4), 497-498. doi:10.1176/appi.ps.54.4.49710.1176/appi.ps.54.4.497
71.
SalzerM. S. (1997). Consumer empowerment in mental health organizations: Concept, benefits, and impediments. Administration and Policy in Mental Health, 24(5), 425-434. doi:10.1007/BF0204272410.1007/BF02042724
72.
SalzerM. S.KatzJ.KidwellB.FedericiM.Ward-ColasanteC. (2009). Pennsylvania Certified Peer Specialist initiative: Training, employment, and work satisfaction outcomes. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 32(4), 301-305. doi:10.2975/32.4.2009.301.30510.2975/32.4.2009.301.305
73.
SalzerM. S. & Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania Best Practices Team. (2002). Best practice guidelines for consumer-delivered services. Developed for the Behavioral Health Recovery Management Project. Retrieved from http://www.bhrm.org/guidelines/salzer.pdf
74.
SalzerM. S.ShearS. L. (2002). Identifying consumer-provider benefits in evaluations of consumer-delivered services. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 25(3), 281-288.
75.
ScheidT. L. (2005). Stigma as a barrier to employment: Mental disability and the Americans with Disabilities Act. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 28(6), 670-690. doi:10.1016/j.ijlp.2005.04.00310.1016/j.ijlp.2005.04.003
76.
SeligmanM. E. P.SteenT. A.ParkN.PetersonC. (2006). Positive psychology progress: Empirical validation of interventions. American Psychologist, 60(5), 410-421. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.60.5.41010.1037/0003-066X.60.5.410
77.
ShannonP. J.MorrisonD. L. (1990). Who goes to GROW?Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 24(1), 96-102. doi:10.3109/0004867900906289110.3109/00048679009062891
78.
ShermanP. S.PorterR. (1991). Mental health consumers as case management aides. Hospital and Community Psychiatry, 42(5), 494-498.
79.
SilversteinS. M.BellackA. S. (2008). A scientific agenda for the concept of recovery as it applies to schizophrenia. Clinical Psychology Review, 28(7), 1108-1124. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2008.03.00410.1016/j.cpr.2008.03.004
80.
SkovholtT. (1974). The client as helper: A means to promote psychological growth. Counseling Psychologist, 4(3), 58-64. doi:10.1177/00110000740040030810.1177/001100007400400308
SolomonP.DraineJ. (2001). The state of knowledge of the effectiveness of consumer provided services. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 25(1), 20-27.
83.
StraussA. L.CorbinJ. M. (1998). Basics of qualitative research: Techniques and procedures for developing grounded theory (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
SwarbrickP. (1997). Wellness model for clients. Mental Health Special Interest Section Quarterly, 20(1), 1-4.
86.
TedeschiR. G.CalhounL. G. (1995). Trauma & transformation: Growing in the aftermath of suffering. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
87.
TedeschiR. G.CalhounL. G. (2004). Posttraumatic growth: Conceptual foundations and empirical evidence. Psychological Inquiry, 15(1), 1-18. doi:10.1207/s15327965pli1501_0110.1207/s15327965pli1501_01
88.
ThomasS. P.HallJ. M. (2008). Life trajectories of female child abuse survivors thriving in adulthood. Qualitative Health Research, 18, 149-166. doi:10.1177/1049732307 31220110.1177/1049732307 312201
89.
ThornicroftG. (2006). Shunned: Discrimination against people with mental illness. New York: Oxford University Press.
90.
WalkerD.MyrickF. (2006). Grounded theory: An exploration of process and procedure. Qualitative Health Research, 16, 547-559. doi:10.1177/104973230528597210.1177/1049732305285972
91.
WeedD. (1999). Health lifestyle workbook for consumers of mental health services. Fall River, MA: Fall River Health and Human Services Coalition, Massachusetts Health Research Institute.
92.
WongY. L. I.SandsR. G.SolomonP. L. (2010). Conceptualizing community: The experience of mental health consumers. Qualitative Health Research, 20, 654-667. doi:10.1177/104973231036161010.1177/1049732310361610
93.
YoungJ.WilliamsC. L. (1987). An evaluation of GROW, a mutual-help community mental health organisation. Community Health Studies, 11(1), 38-42.
94.
YoungS. L.EnsingD. S. (1999). Exploring recovery from the perspective of people with psychiatric disabilities. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 22(3), 219-231.
