A Survey Study of the Workplace Experiences of Young Adult Peer Support Workers in the United States
Datos Bibliográficos
| ID | 8909109 |
|---|---|
| Autores | Haley Payne (Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine), D Regis (0009-0006-7004-2320, University of North Texas), Margaret Smith (0000-0001-8792-1301, Temple University), R V Stanford (Deep Space Industries (United States)), Rashni Stanford, Brandon Bond (0000-0002-0101-4514, University of Michigan), Elizabeth C Thomas (0000-0001-6543-9856, Temple College, autor de correspondencia), Elizabeth Thomas (0000-0002-1616-681X) |
| Año | 2026 |
| Volumen | 62 |
| Número | 5 |
| Páginas | 963-973 |
| Fecha de publicación | 2026-01-07 |
| Peer Reviewed | Sí |
| Open Access | Sí |
| Tipo | ARTICLE |
| Revista | Community Mental Health Journal (JOURNAL) |
| Identificadores de la revista | ISSN: 0010-3853 • E-ISSN: 1573-2789 |
| Editorial | Springer Science+Business Media (PUBLISHER • DE) |
| DOI | 10.1007/s10597-025-01585-3 |
| PMID | 41501422 |
| OpenAlex | W7118479976 |
| Idioma | EN |
| Referencias citadas | 22 |
This study examined the workplace experiences of young adult peer support workers (YPSWs), including how these experiences differ by certification status and what barriers and recommendations YPSWs identify for improving their work environments. A cross-sectional survey was conducted via REDCap with 49 YPSWs aged 18-30 currently employed in a paid peer support role in the United States. Participants completed quantitative items assessing satisfaction with various workplace aspects, supervision, intergenerational inclusiveness, and stigma, and open-ended questions about workplace barriers and recommendations. Analyses included descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA tests comparing certified and non-certified YPSWs, and thematic analysis of qualitative responses. Respondents reported relatively high satisfaction with fringe benefits, training, and supervision, but lower satisfaction with opportunities and rewards. Most reported a positive intergenerational climate and little stigma from coworkers. Youth certified peer specialists reported significantly lower satisfaction with opportunities and rewards and benefits than non-certified peers, and significantly lower satisfaction with supervision than general certified peer specialists. Qualitative data revealed key workload, policy, and individual barriers as well as age-related issues (e.g., lack of respect, imposter syndrome). Respondents recommended improvements for leadership, policy, job incentives, workforce capacity and support, peer integration, and collaboration and inclusion. Findings highlight both strengths and challenges in YPSW work environments, with notable disparities by certification status. Given their unique developmental stage and experiences of marginalization, strengthening this workforce will require attention to compensation, role clarity, and inclusion through a positive youth development lens
Certification · Inclusion (mineral · Job satisfaction · Peer support · Qualitative research · Survey data collection · Thematic analysis · Workforce · Workforce development · Adolescent and Pediatric Healthcare · Mental Health and Patient Involvement · Youth Development and Social Support
The Stigma Scale
Research electronic data capture (Redcap)—A metadata-driven methodology and workflow process for providing translational research informatics support
The Redcap consortium
Increasing Youth Peer Workers' Impact Through Integration
Workplace youngism
The Workplace Intergenerational Climate Scale (Wics)
The Experiences of Youth Mental Health Peer Workers over Time
Factors Supporting the Employment of Young Adult Peer Providers
Qualitative Data Analysis for Health Services Research
| Velocidad de citación | historical |
|---|---|
| Altamente citado | No |