Certified Peer Support in the Field of Homelessness

Certified peer support specialists (CPSS) are used as a paraprofessional workforce to engage hard-to-reach populations, including people experiencing homelessness. Thematic analysis was used to explore with CPSS (N = 7) what contributed to their effectiveness when working with this population. Participants were recruited at a HUD lead organization in the southeastern United States. Open-ended semi-structured questions were used in online, synchronous interviews. Themes related to three areas, experience, competence, and the organization, contributed to participants being effective. Specifically, interviewees observed that their lived experiences and abilities to speak a common language with clients contributed to their effectiveness. They identified how personal qualities and unique skillsets suited them for the work. Participants also valued the training they received; certification helped them to develop competencies and to balance vulnerability, empathy, and connection. Finally, participants attributed their effectiveness to clarity about their roles within the organization, supervision, attention to self-care, and co-worker support. Findings from this study may have implications for the value of lived and learned knowledge coexisting in organizations serving those who experience homelessness

Certification · CLARITY · Competence (human resources · Medical education · Peer support · Political science · Population · Qualitative research · Sociology · Thematic analysis · Workforce · Healthcare innovation and challenges · Homelessness and Social Issues · Medicine · Mental Health and Patient Involvement · Nursing · Psychology · Social Psychology · Social Work

• Social connection among the unhoused in Northern Arizona

  Open Access•Sarah M Asantewaa, Rea Antoniou et al.•Social Science & Medicine•2026

  Añadir item

• An Introduction to Social Constructionism

  Vivien Burr•An Introduction to Social…•1995

  Añadir item

• Peer support within a health care context

  Open Access•Cindy-Lee Dennis•International Journal of Nursing…•2003

  Añadir item

• The prevalence of mental disorders among homeless people in high-income countries

  Open Access•Stefan Gutwinski, Stefanie Schreiter et al.•PLoS Medicine•2021

  Añadir item

• Understanding and Validity in Qualitative Research

  Joseph A Maxwell, Joseph Maxwell•Harvard Educational Review•1992

  Añadir item

• Stress, appraisal, and coping

  Open Access•H J Eysenck•Behaviour Research and Therapy•1985

  Añadir item

• A biaxial formulation of the recovery construct

  Joseph F Kelly, John Francis Kelly et al.•Addiction Research & Theory•2014

  Añadir item

• Health Status, Quality of Life, Residential Stability, Substance Use, and Health Care Utilization among Adults Applying to a Supportive Housing Program

  Open Access•Sung-Wook Hwang, Evie Gogosis et al.•Journal of Urban Health•2011

  Añadir item

• Executive Leadership and Social Innovation in Direct-Service Nonprofits

  Micheal L Shier, Femida Handy•Journal of Progressive Human…•2016

  Añadir item

• Comparing the Housing Trajectories of Different Classes Within a Diverse Homeless Population

  Open Access•Tim Aubry, Fran Klodawsky et al.•American Journal of Community…•2012

  Añadir item

• Experts by Experience

  Open Access•Stephanie Barker, Stephanie L Barker et al.•Community Mental Health Journal•2017

  Añadir item

• Using thematic analysis in psychology

  Open Access•Braun, Virginia Braun et al.•Qualitative Research in Psychology•2006

  Añadir item

• Member Checking

  Open Access•Linda Birt, Suzanne Scott et al.•Qualitative Health Research•2016

  Añadir item