Free PSS Ethical Problem-Solving and Confidentiality Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A peer you are supporting tells you about a past crime for which they were never caught. According to confidentiality standards, you should:
- Immediately report the crime to the police.
- Maintain confidentiality as there is no imminent threat of harm. (Correct answer)
- Discuss it with other peers in a support group to get advice.
- Tell your supervisor so they can report the crime.
Correct answer: Maintain confidentiality as there is no imminent threat of harm.
Confidentiality is a cornerstone of the peer relationship, building trust and safety. Unless the information involves imminent harm to self or others, or child/vulnerable adult abuse, the peer specialist must maintain confidentiality.
Question 2: A Peer Support Specialist MUST break confidentiality when:
- A peer admits to using illegal substances.
- A peer makes a credible threat to seriously harm their neighbor. (Correct answer)
- A peer's family member asks for an update on their progress.
- A peer expresses feelings of hopelessness about the future.
Correct answer: A peer makes a credible threat to seriously harm their neighbor.
Ethical and legal standards (often called 'duty to protect' or 'duty to warn') mandate breaking confidentiality when a person expresses a credible, imminent threat of serious harm to an identifiable person or to themselves. This is a critical exception to the rule of confidentiality.
Question 3: A peer you support asks you for a $20 loan until they get paid. This situation represents an ethical challenge related to:
- Confidentiality
- Scope of Practice
- Boundaries and Dual Relationships (Correct answer)
- Informed Consent
Correct answer: Boundaries and Dual Relationships
This is a classic example of a potential dual relationship and a boundary crossing. Engaging in financial transactions blurs the lines of the professional peer support relationship, can be exploitative, and may damage the therapeutic alliance.
Question 4: When faced with a complex ethical dilemma, what is the most critical first step for a Peer Support Specialist to take?
- Make a quick decision based on your gut feeling.
- Consult with your supervisor. (Correct answer)
- Ask the peer what they think you should do.
- Ignore the situation and hope it resolves itself.
Correct answer: Consult with your supervisor.
Consultation with a supervisor is the most important initial step in any ethical decision-making process. A supervisor can provide guidance, help explore the dilemma from different angles, and ensure the specialist is acting in accordance with agency policy and ethical codes.
Question 5: A peer asks you for advice on which medication they should be taking for their depression. The most appropriate response is to:
- Share which medication worked best for you.
- Research different medications online and give them a summary.
- Tell them you cannot give medical advice and encourage them to talk to their doctor. (Correct answer)
- Advise them to stop taking medication and try holistic methods.
Correct answer: Tell them you cannot give medical advice and encourage them to talk to their doctor.
Providing advice on medication is a clinical function and falls outside the scope of practice for a Peer Support Specialist. The specialist's role is to empower the peer to find their own answers, such as by encouraging them to speak with their doctor, not to provide clinical advice.
Question 6: The primary purpose of documenting peer support interactions is to:
- Gather information to share with the peer's family.
- Create a detailed history of the peer's trauma.
- Provide a record of services and progress towards goals. (Correct answer)
- Have evidence in case of a future disagreement with the peer.
Correct answer: Provide a record of services and progress towards goals.
Documentation serves to record the services provided, track progress towards the peer's self-defined goals, and ensure continuity of care. It should be factual, objective, and strength-based, respecting the peer's privacy and dignity.
Question 7: Ethical practice requires a Peer Support Specialist to obtain informed consent. This means ensuring the peer understands:
- The specialist's personal recovery story in full detail.
- The specialist's work schedule and contact information.
- The specialist's opinion on their diagnosis.
- The nature of peer support and the limits of confidentiality. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The nature of peer support and the limits of confidentiality.
Informed consent is an ongoing process of ensuring the person understands the nature of the peer support relationship, the services offered, any associated risks/benefits, and their rights, particularly regarding confidentiality and its limits. This empowers them to make an informed decision about participating.
Free PSS Ethical Problem-Solving and Confidentiality Questions and Answers 1
A peer you are supporting tells you about a past crime for which they were never caught.
According to confidentiality standards, you should: