A psychometric study of recovery among Certified Peer Specialists

Anthony O. Ahmed, Denis Birgenheir, Peter F. Buckley, Paul A. Mabe

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

The recovery model is wielding a welcome influence in the mental healthcare system. Despite its potential impact, systematic studies of the recovery construct as viewed by consumers and former consumers of mental health services have only recently begun to permeate the literature. We have embarked on an ongoing collaboration with the Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network to study the recovery experiences of Certified Peer Specialists (CPSs). As a first step, we evaluated the psychometric characteristics of a new measure of the recovery construct in CPSs. CPSs (N=84) enrolled in the GMHCN completed the Maryland Assessment of Recovery in Serious Mental Illness (MARS) along with measures of resilience, coping styles, community living, social support, internalized stigma, psychopathology, and personality. Recovery as measured by the MARS was associated with resilience, coping behaviors, quality of social support, community living, internalized stigma, and severity of psychopathology. Recovery did not demonstrate a statistically significant association with personality. Recovery appeared to mediate the effect of psychopathology and episodic stressors on community functioning. Our psychometric study supports the psychometric soundness of the MARS and the construct validity of recovery.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)721-731
Number of pages11
JournalPsychiatry Research
Volume209
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 30 2013

Keywords

  • Construct validation
  • Peer Specialists
  • Psychometrics
  • Recovery
  • Severe mental illness

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Biological Psychiatry

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