Enrollment in supported employment services for clients with a co-occurring disorder

Authors: Fuller, T. R., Oka, M., Otsuka, K., Yokoyama, N., Liberman, R. P., & Niwa, S.
Year Published 2011
Publication Psychiatric Services
Volume 62
Number 5
Pages 545-547
Publisher American Psychiatric Association
Background

People with serious psychiatric disorders often experience "co-occurring substance use disorders" (p. 545). Therefore, they require integrated services and employment offers "a meaningful activity that supports recovery" (p. 545).

Purpose

The study examined "the relationship between co-occurring disorders and enrollment in supported employment services among clients with serious mental illness" (p. 545).

Setting

The setting was Thresholds Psychiatric Rehabilitation Centers in Chicago Illinois.

Sample

The study sample included 1,748 clients who were admitted to Thresholds services between January 2008 and December 2009 (p. 545).

Data Collection

Data was retrieved from electronic medical records at Thresholds Psychiatric Rehabilitation Center in Chicago and analyzed for clients admitted during a 2-year period.

Control

The comparison condition was supported employment for people with chronic mental illness without substance use disorders.

Findings

Clients with a co-occurring substance use disorder were 52% less likely to enroll in a supported employment program. However, of those that did enter the program, the competitive employment outcomes for both groups was similar.

Conclusions

People with chronic mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders are interested in competitive employment; however, they have difficulty accessing supported employment programs and are successful once they do.

URL http://www.worksupport.com/kter/documents/pdf/EnrollmentinSupportedEmployment.pdf
Disabilities Emotional disturbance
Populations Hispanic or Latino | Black / African American | White / Caucasian | Male & Female
Outcomes Employment acquisition
NIDILRR Funded Not Reported
Research Design Observational
Peer Reviewed Yes