Survey of peer support specialists: Professional activities, self-rated skills, job satisfaction, and financial well-being

Abstract

As the certified peer support specialist (CPSS) workforce matures, their roles evolve, leading to gaps in knowledge about their activities. This study aimed to address these gaps through a survey on CPSS activities, self-rated skills, job satisfaction, and financial well-being. The project team recruited a community advisory board of CPSSs to lead survey development. A survey link was e-mailed to all known CPSSs in the state of Michigan (N=1,128), yielding 394 respondents (35% response rate), of whom 319 were included in the analysis. The highest skill self-ratings included sharing recovery stories (rated very strong by 80%); the lowest included vocational support (rated very strong by 33%). More than 75% were satisfied with their workplace supportiveness; less than one-half were satisfied with their promotion opportunities. When asked if they could generate adequate funds to address a common financial shock, 115 of 301 respondents (38%) were “certain” they could not, suggesting financial vulnerability. These results support developing career ladder opportunities for CPSSs.