Motivation and challenges of peer consultants in the field of eating disorders

This thesis focuses on the motivation, risk, and protective factors of peer counselors working in the field of eating disorders. Peer counselors represent a specific professional group that uses their own experience with mental illness to support clients. The aim of the thesis is to gain a deeper understanding of the consultants' motivation for their work, what risks they perceive, and what factors help them cope with challenging situations, especially in the context of relapse prevention. The empirical part of the thesis is based on qualitative research using thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with seven peer consultants. The results show that the main motivating factors are the meaningfulness of the work, together with a positive reinterpretation of their own experience and the need to help others. The most frequently cited risks include emotional exhaustion, unclear boundaries, and fears of relapse. These risks are complemented by challenges that peers see in working with families, demanding clients, or insufficient training. Protective factors include team support, supervision, clearly defined roles, and mental hygiene. The findings provide important insights for practice and further research, particularly in the area of peer consultant support and training. The work contributes to...