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Exploring pathways to recovery and psychological well-being: examining the role of empathic and social self-efficacy, social support and social isolation

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background This study examines pathways that promote psychological well-being (PWB) and recovery among mental health peer workers. Social support and social isolation are well-established predictors of PWB and recovery. One promising pathway extending from this foundation is that by building empathic and social self-efficacy, individuals can build stronger relationships, which improves social support and reduces social isolation, thereby contributing to recovery and PWB. Methods To test this hypothesis, we collected survey data from 268 peer workers on these constructs. We performed a continuous variable mediation analysis to predict recovery and PWB. We examined the direct and indirect effects of empathic and social self-efficacy (ESSE), with social support and social isolation as mediators in pathways toward recovery and PWB. Results The direct effect of the ESSE on recovery (B = 0.30 [0.19, 0.42], p < 0.001) and PWB (B = 0.26 [0.15, 0.37], p < 0.001) was larger than the mediation effects that existed for social support when predicting PWB (B = 0.12 [0.06, 0.20], p < 0.001) and recovery (B = 0.11 [0.05, 0.19], p < 0.001). Similarly, the direct effect of social support when predicting ESSE on recovery (B = 0.36 [0.25, 0.48], p < 0.001) and PWB (B = 0.32 [0.20, 0.43], p < 0.001) was larger than its indirect effect through social isolation for both recovery (B = 0.17 [0.11, 0.24], p < 0.001) and PWB (B = 0.17 [0.12, 0.24], p < 0.001). Conclusion Our findings highlight the importance of ESSE in predicting recovery and PWB beyond what can be accounted for by social support and social isolation.

Source: Frontiers in Psychology

DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1552827

Authors: Maribel G. Dominguez, Louis D. Brown

Institution: The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Language: English

Topic: Mental Health and Patient Involvement

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801