What does well-being mean to mental health peer workers?

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to gain a detailed understanding of their experience of well-being from the perspective of mental health peer workers. Design/methodology/approach An interpretative phenomenological analysis design using semi-structured interviews was conducted with four peer workers. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and then analysed using thematic analysis. Findings Participants described their experience of well-being in terms of a journey over time that followed an unpredictable course. They understood their well-being in terms of their engagement in occupations. An occupational science framework was used to understand the participants’ experience of their well-being in terms of doing, being and becoming. Originality/value This paper is among the first to approach the exploration of the experience of well-being for peer workers using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis design.