Evolving Faith: Changes in Spiritual Experiences and Their Role in Recovery as Reported by Peer Support Workers

Faith and spirituality have long been recognized as important components of recovery from mental illness, yet little is known about how these experiences evolve over time or the extent to which individuals feel supported by mental health professionals in pursuing them. This study explored how peer support workers' experiences with spirituality and faith change over time, how they perceive the role of spirituality in their recovery, and how supported they feel by mental health professionals from whom they are receiving care in this aspect of their well-being. The study involved a cross-sectional online survey of 266 peer support workers in the United States, examining their experiences with faith and spirituality. Data were analyzed using paired-sample t-tests and descriptive statistics. Participants reported significantly more positive faith and spiritual experiences in the present compared to the past. Current experiences were largely positive (83%), with 92% reporting that faith/spirituality played a very positive or positive role in their recovery. Nonetheless, challenges persisted, including disagreement with family or friends about religious issues (62%) and feeling lonely or different from others because of religious or spiritual beliefs (40%). While most participants (63%) felt encouraged by healthcare providers to pursue spirituality, fewer than half (45%) reported receiving active support. Findings suggest faith and spirituality are a significant part of recovery for many peer support workers. However, inconsistent provider support underscores the need for more integrated, holistic models of mental health services that acknowledge spirituality as a dynamic, evolving dimension of recovery.