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Objective: The primary purpose of the study was to explore and identify how components of recovery are associated with occupational performance and health among peer support specialists. Methods: One hundred and twenty-one peer support specialists were recruited from statewide peer certification training programs and the International Association of Peer Supporters. Study respondents completed a survey package including demographic questions and psychometrically sound self-report measures. Two hierarchical multivariable linear regression models were conducted to evaluate whether the recovery components of the process of recovery, social support for recovery, and work self-determination (i.e., work autonomy, work competence, and work relatedness) were associated with indicators of occupational performance (i.e., work engagement) and health (i.e., job satisfaction). Results: Work autonomy was associated with the occupational performance indicator, while the process of recovery and social support for recovery were the only recovery components associated with the indicator for occupational health. Conclusions and Implications for Practice: Findings support the importance of work self-determination and social support and recovery for occupational performance and health among peer support specialists. Mental health and rehabilitation professionals should address these key components of recovery when working with and supporting the work well-being of peer support specialists. Impact and Implications: Our findings indicated key components of recovery are linked to work well-being among peer support specialists. Despite the promotion of recovery among service users, there has been limited focus on the recovery process experienced by peer support specialists employed in mental health systems. These findings underscore the need for service providers, employers, and supervisors of peer support specialists to address both recovery and work well-being among peer support specialists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to refine and test the psychometric properties of a scale to measure provider attitudes about recovery. Method: This was a secondary data analysis that combined survey data from 1,128 mental health providers from 3 state hospitals, 6 community mental health centers, and 1 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical center. Rasch analyses were used to examine item-level functioning to reduce the scale to a briefer, unidimensional construct. Convergent validity was assessed through correlations with related measures. Results: The Provider Expectations for Recovery Scale had strong internal consistency, was related to education and setting in expected ways, and was associated with lower levels of burnout and higher levels of job satisfaction. Conclusions and Implications for Practice: A 10-item scale of Provider Expectations for Recovery appears to be a useful tool to measure an important construct in recovery-oriented care. The process of refining the measure also highlights potential factors in how providers view recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Peer providers experience unique recovery and growth processes. This study examines the relationship of these processes with multiple occupational characteristics related so peer work. Outcomes are examined using positive psychology concepts: psychological well-being, posttraumatic growth, and generatively, as well as established recovery and empowerment measures. Method: Thirty peer providers employed in s variety of mental-health agencies participated in the study and completed standardized measures of recovery and growth processes. Multiple past and present occupational characteristics were identified and coded based on a semistructured interview and a background questionnaire. Results: Multivariate analyses revealed a significant association between participants' generatively and past participation in peer-support/self-help groups, as well as past work in a helping profession. No associations were found between the characteristics of participants' present peer jobs and the examined recovery and growth processes. Conclusions and implications for Practice: The present findings have implications for the expansion of the peer-provider workforce, They suggest that encouraging and enabling peer-support groups and peer-run organizations may have positive impact on the generatively of peer providers, and may draw generative individuals to thin emerging occupational modality of mental- health recovery oriented service. Study findings underscore the need for future research on recovery processes from the perspective of positive psychology and highlight the value of peer exposure as a catalyst of recovery and growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Patient-centered communication has been linked to patient satisfaction, treatment adherence and outcomes. Shared decision making (SDM) has been advocated as an important and ethically essential aspect of patient-centered care, but SDM has received relatively little attention in mental health care, despite studies indicating that consumers want to be involved in making decisions. This is particularly important in a recovery-oriented system, where consumers are active participants in their treatment and rehabilitation. Because medication management is a key component of recovery from severe mental illnesses, this study explores how consumers and providers make decisions in medication management consultations. Methods: Four providers (3 psychiatrists, 1 nurse practitioner) and 40 consumers with severe mental illness (10 consumers per provider) were recruited from a community mental health center with a recovery-oriented focus. We directly observed 40 medication management appointments. Observations were audio recorded and transcribed. We used emergent thematic analysis to characterize decision making processes. Results: Providers initiated most decisions, although they often invited consumers to participate in decision making. Decisions initiated by consumers elicited a greater degree of discussion and disagreement, but also frequently resulted in consumers' preferences prevailing. Consultations generally exhibited more characteristics of person-centeredness than SDM. Conclusions and Implications for Practice: While we observed a high degree of person-centeredness, SDM was not prevalent. Interventions helping consumers to take greater initiative when working with service providers may be helpful. For example, programs using tools such as peer instruction, Internet-based software, and individual case-manager instruction all have shown promise for enhancing SDM in mental health treatment. Further research is needed to determine the degree of SDM in other settings (e.g., with case managers) and the impact of SDM on consumers' recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Hope is a critical aspect of the recovery process for persons with serious mental illnesses. The goal of this pilot study was to assess the relationship between hope and symptoms for a cohort of individuals with mental illnesses receiving supported employment services. Method: A total of 74 participants enrolled in supported employment were assessed on their level of hopefulness, hopelessness and psychiatric symptoms. Correlations were performed to determine the relationship between hope and psychiatric symptoms, and hopelessness and psychiatric symptoms. Results: The findings indicated a significant inverse relationship between hope and symptoms, and a significant positive relationship between hopelessness and symptoms. Conclusions and Implications for Practice: Hope and symptoms were inversely related, highlighting the importance of developing a wellness strategy that addresses managing symptoms as part of one's recovery process. Additionally, this finding highlights the critical role of PsyR providers in supporting people in recovery with developing a wellness strategy that will both help ameliorate symptoms and increase hope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Veterans commonly experience both psychiatric and substance abuse problems following their reintegration into the community postwar. The present study describes a sample of veterans residing in self-governed recovery homes. Methods: A subsample of 24 veterans within a large national study were examined using demographic data and psychiatric and substance abuse measures. Participants were evaluated at baseline and at a one-year follow-up. Results: Abstinence rates for the veteran subsample were high. Additionally, results suggested that participants experienced a reduction in anxiety and depression over time. Conclusions and Implications for Practice: The psychiatric and substance use improvements of this veteran subsample provide incentive for further research of this at-risk population as residents of self-governed recovery homes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Certified peer specialists (CPSs) are an emerging workforce across the United States and are a critical component of recovery-oriented mental health systems. This study examined possible benefits of working as a CPS. Method: A statewide survey of trained CPSs in Pennsylvania was conducted in Winter/Spring 2010. A total of 271 CPSs responded to the online survey. Data from 154 working CPSs were analyzed. Results: Forty-one respondents (28.7%) were not working prior to their CPS employment and 60% of all respondents reported a decrease in Social Security entitlements. Statistically significant reductions were reported in case management, crisis services, and inpatient hospitalizations. Finally, respondents overwhelmingly reported personal, recovery-oriented benefits, and felt that they have a positive impact on their agencies. Conclusion and Implications for Practice: CPS initiatives appear to benefit the individual CPS worker and may result in societal cost savings. These results further expand the potential value of peer-support services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]