Peers on Paper: A Content Analysis of Peer Support Job Postings in Missouri.

Abstract

Peer support workers (PSWs) are trained behavioral health professionals with lived experience of substance use disorders. PSWs are employed by behavioral health agencies to increase uptake of and retention in treatment and recovery services. As their presence in these settings grows, it remains unclear how well PSW job functions align with their unique skills and personal experiences. To fill this gap, a content analysis of online job postings for PSW roles in Missouri across geographic regions and types of behavioral healthcare settings (i.e., treatment facilities, recovery housing, recovery community centers, hospitals, criminal justice settings) posted between April 2023 and September 2024 was conducted and analyzed to assess how they reflect role expectations and the distinct value PSWs contribute to the system. Job tasks were organized into categories and classified as authentic (utilizing PSWs' experience and training, e.g., mentoring, recovery goal setting, and peer advocacy) or generic (not specific to peer roles, e.g., administrative duties, transportation, maintaining relationships with external stakeholders). Results showed that PSWs are expected to perform a near even split of authentic (49.8%) and generic (50.2%) tasks. These findings suggest a lack of consistency in how agencies define and implement the PSW role, potentially contributing to job dissatisfaction and turnover. As organizations continue to employ PSWs in greater numbers, it will be important for agencies to prioritize job clarity and satisfaction, as well as determine the optimal balance of tasks for a more consistent system-level understanding of how to best utilize PSWs in the workplace.