title: Benefits and mechanisms of recovery among peer providers with psychiatric illnesses.
abstract: 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.
authors: University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel. Galia.moran@gmail.com
authors: Galia S
authors: GS
authors: Moran
authors: Zlatka
authors: Z
authors: Russinova
authors: Vasudha
authors: V
authors: Gidugu
authors: Jung Yeon
authors: JY
authors: Yim
authors: Catherine
authors: C
authors: Sprague
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008603:Mental Health; D008605:Mental Health Services; D008875:Middle Aged; D010379:Peer Group; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012931:Social Environment; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014937:Work