Multi-state survey of wages and financial well-being of mental health peer specialists

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Certified peer specialists (CPS) serve a critical role in the behavioral health workforce, but little is known about their job quality or financial well-being. OBJECTIVE: Using cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a three-year study of recently certified individuals, we examine the quality of peer specialist (PS) jobs in terms of wage, hours worked, and tenure, and CPS financial well-being (FWB). We also examine whether PS jobs are higher quality and enhance CPS FWB compared to non-PS jobs worked by CPS. Research on job quality and FWB can be used to enhance the peer specialist workforce. METHODS: A sample of 448 employed adults with a recently completed CPS credential participated in an online survey about job characteristics and FWB. RESULTS: Compared to Bureau of Labor Statistics data on comparable non-peer Community/Social Service occupations, PS jobs are lower wage and have shorter job tenure. Compared to the general workforce, PS jobs are more often part-time. Compared to a national survey of all adults in the United States, CPS report lower FWB regardless of job type and are at risk of financial hardship. In multivariable analyses and compared to non-PS jobs, PS jobs were not associated with significantly higher wages, more full-time status, longer tenure, or greater FWB. Higher wage jobs among CPS were associated with higher education, being a Veteran, and residence in an urban/suburban region rather than small town or rural setting. Full-time work was associated with not receiving federal disability benefits. CPS FWB was associated with higher hourly wage, older age, Latinx ethnicity, Veteran status, and better physical health. CONCLUSION: CPS are at risk of financial hardship. Among recently certified CPS, working in PS jobs was not associated with higher wages or greater financial wellbeing compared to CPS working in other jobs.