Development and properties of a measure designed to assess core competencies in intentional peer support.

OBJECTIVE: Intentional Peer Support (IPS) is a peer-developed, theoretically based, manualized approach that is used in multiple countries. This research aimed to develop and test a measure that can be administered to service users to provide quantitative data for assessing IPS core competencies (IPSCC) in outcomes research. METHODS: Ten items based on IPSCC dimensions were developed and revised in an iterative process and administered in face-to-face interviews with 84 respondents. Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and convergent validity were examined. RESULTS: The IPSCC measure demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha of .85) and 2-week test-retest reliability (r = .98, p < .001), as well as satisfactory convergent validity. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This study provides a foundation for future process-oriented research on IPS, and potentially other forms of peer support, to systematically document and appraise participant experiences. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

"It suits my needs": Self-employed individuals with psychiatric disabilities and small businesses.

OBJECTIVE: Small business is a favorably regarded institution in America. Given employment disparities among individuals with psychiatric disabilities compared to other workers, self-employment has potential to promote career development and community integration. However, little is known about what has helped or hindered current small business owners with psychiatric disabilities. This exploratory study identified characteristics of individuals' work and disability histories, as well as business characteristics, that can inform policy and practice development in support of disability-owned small businesses. METHOD: A nonprobability sample of 60 U.S. adults with a history of psychiatric disability who were self-employed in 2017 completed a web-based survey that asked about demographics, experiences of disability, motivations for self-employment, and business characteristics. RESULTS: Most survey respondents were operating new, very small, unincorporated home-based service businesses on a part-time basis. Respondents were educated, typically with extensive work histories, but had experienced discrimination and unpleasant attitudes from coworkers and supervisors. Responses highlighted the importance of freedom and work-life balance. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Self-employment is not necessarily a fit for everyone, but for individuals with psychiatric disabilities, it may be a pathway back to work. The size of the respondent businesses and the part-time nature of the work suggests that individuals with psychiatric disabilities are operating very small businesses that may serve as a wage employment alternative if they are able to grow in the future, or be sustained as a part-time adjunct to public benefits or other paid or unpaid work. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Web-based Survey Data Collection With Peer Support and Advocacy Organizations: Implications of Participatory Methods.

BACKGROUND: The 2012 National Survey of Peer-Run Organizations is one of the first to survey a nationally representative sample of mental health peer-run organizations, nonprofit venues for support and advocacy which are defined by people with psychiatric histories being in positions of authority and control. OBJECTIVES: This paper describes data collection methods and demonstrates how participatory strategies to involve people with psychiatric histories intersected with Internet research to achieve study aims. METHODS: People with psychiatric histories were involved in designing and implementing a web-based survey to collect data on peer-run organizations' operations and views on national policy. Participatory approaches were used throughout design, data collection analysis, and dissemination. CONCLUSIONS: The extensive involvement of people with psychiatric histories in project design and implementation were important strategies that contributed to this study's success.

The opportunities and challenges of multi-site evaluations: lessons from the jail diversion and trauma recovery national cross-site evaluation.

Multi-site evaluations, particularly of federally funded service programs, pose a special set of challenges for program evaluation. Not only are there contextual differences related to project location, there are often relatively few programmatic requirements, which results in variations in program models, target populations and services. The Jail Diversion and Trauma Recovery-Priority to Veterans (JDTR) National Cross-Site Evaluation was tasked with conducting a multi-site evaluation of thirteen grantee programs that varied along multiple domains. This article describes the use of a mixed methods evaluation design to understand the jail diversion programs and client outcomes for veterans with trauma, mental health and/or substance use problems. We discuss the challenges encountered in evaluating diverse programs, the benefits of the evaluation in the face of these challenges, and offer lessons learned for other evaluators undertaking this type of evaluation.

Pushing the envelope: shared decision making in mental health.

TOPIC: This article reviews the literature on shared decision making in health and mental health and discusses tools in general health that are proposed for adaptation and use in mental health. PURPOSE: To offer findings from literature and a product development process to help inform/guide those who wish to create or implement materials for shared decision making in mental health. SOURCES USED: Published literature and research on issues related to shared decision making in health and mental health, focus groups, and product testing. CONCLUSIONS: Structured shared decision making in mental health shows promise in supporting service user involvement in critical decision making and provides a process to open all treatment and service decisions to informed and respectful dialogue.