SESAMI* study of employment support for people with severe mental health problems: 12-month outcomes | Knowledge Translation for Employment Research Center

Authors:	Schoenbaum, M., Unützer, J., McCaffrey, D., Duan N., Sherbourne, C., & Wells, K.
Year Published	2009
Publication	Health & Social Care in the Community
Volume	17
Number	2
Pages	151-158
Publisher	Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Background	Individuals with severe mental illness are underrepresented in the workforce in the United Kingdom. A welfare to work policy was implemented. Guidelines recommend using evidenced based practices, the Individual Placement and Support model, to help people with mental health issues with gaining and maintaining work. It is important to understand what is currently going on to improve existing practices.
Purpose	This study was undertaken to learn about factors associated with successful employment and the impact of work on individuals with mental illness.
Setting	Six British agencies that specialized in providing services to individuals with mental illness.
Sample	One hundred and eighty two individuals with mental health problems participated in the study. Follow up interviews were conducted with 85% of this sample. The majority or 84% were White British or European. Ages ranged from 22 to 67 years with an mean of 42 years. About a third, or 32% reported depression, 25% anxiety, 25% schizophrenia, hallucinations or hearing voices, 14% bipolar and 4% other in response to being asked to describe his or her condition. Fifty five percent of the participants were unemployed, 29% were unemployed, 9% were in work placement and 5% in sheltered work.
Data Collection	The study questionnaire included the following measures. The Empowerment Among Users of Mental Health Services Scale; the Herth Hope Index, Perceived obstacles to work; and behaviours indicating nearness to the labour market. This questionnaire was usually completed during an approximately one hour face to face interview. The first was completed at baseline and another at follow up (12 months later).Statistically significant differences were tested. Analysis of variance was also used. SPSS 15.0 was used to analyze all data.
Control	There was no comparison or control group.
Findings	Eighty two percent of those working at baseline were employed one year later. Twenty five percent of those individuals who were unemployed were assisted with gaining work during this time. Financial satisfaction and self esteem increased among those who went to work. In addition, there was a tendency to work part-time.
Conclusions	Those who worked reported multiple benefits. The evidence from this study should inform service planning and the Individual Placement and Support model should be implemented in England.
URL	https://www.researchonline.org.uk/sds/search/taxonomy.do%3Bjsessionid=948B7FBF03C6A71157E4FD25729AE479?action=document&ref=A20206&pager.offset=140&taxonomy=GIN
Disabilities	Emotional disturbance
Populations	Male & Female \| Asian \| Other
Outcomes	Other
NIDILRR Funded	No
Research Design	Observational
Peer Reviewed	Yes

Year Published

2009

Publication

Health & Social Care in the Community

Volume

17

Number

2

Pages

151-158

Publisher

Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Background

Individuals with severe mental illness are underrepresented in the workforce in the United Kingdom. A welfare to work policy was implemented. Guidelines recommend using evidenced based practices, the Individual Placement and Support model, to help people with mental health issues with gaining and maintaining work. It is important to understand what is currently going on to improve existing practices.

Purpose

This study was undertaken to learn about factors associated with successful employment and the impact of work on individuals with mental illness.

Setting

Six British agencies that specialized in providing services to individuals with mental illness.

Sample

One hundred and eighty two individuals with mental health problems participated in the study. Follow up interviews were conducted with 85% of this sample. The majority or 84% were White British or European. Ages ranged from 22 to 67 years with an mean of 42 years. About a third, or 32% reported depression, 25% anxiety, 25% schizophrenia, hallucinations or hearing voices, 14% bipolar and 4% other in response to being asked to describe his or her condition. Fifty five percent of the participants were unemployed, 29% were unemployed, 9% were in work placement and 5% in sheltered work.

Data Collection

The study questionnaire included the following measures. The Empowerment Among Users of Mental Health Services Scale; the Herth Hope Index, Perceived obstacles to work; and behaviours indicating nearness to the labour market. This questionnaire was usually completed during an approximately one hour face to face interview. The first was completed at baseline and another at follow up (12 months later).Statistically significant differences were tested. Analysis of variance was also used. SPSS 15.0 was used to analyze all data.

Control

There was no comparison or control group.

Findings

Eighty two percent of those working at baseline were employed one year later. Twenty five percent of those individuals who were unemployed were assisted with gaining work during this time. Financial satisfaction and self esteem increased among those who went to work. In addition, there was a tendency to work part-time.

Conclusions

Those who worked reported multiple benefits. The evidence from this study should inform service planning and the Individual Placement and Support model should be implemented in England.

URL

https://www.researchonline.org.uk/sds/search/taxonomy.do%3Bjsessionid=948B7FBF03C6A71157E4FD25729AE479?action=document&ref=A20206&pager.offset=140&taxonomy=GIN

Disabilities

Emotional disturbance

Populations

Male & Female | Asian | Other

Outcomes

Other

NIDILRR Funded

No

Research Design

Observational

Peer Reviewed

Yes