A supported competitive employment programme for individuals with chronic mental illness

Authors: Wong, K., Chiu, L. P., Tang, S. W., Kan, H. K., Kong, C. L., Chu, H. W.,& Chiu, S. N.
Year Published 2001
Publication Hong Kong Journal of Psychiatry
Volume 11
Number 2
Pages 13-18
Publisher Hong Kong Academy of Medicine Press
Background

Supported employment has emerged in recent years as a viable employment service alternative for individuals with chronic mental illness. Numerous reports demonstrate enhanced vocational outcomes in the areas of employment rate, job retention rate, job tenure, and earnings for individuals with chronic mental illness. Not much is known about the program outcomes and applicability in Hong Kong.
Purpose

The objective of this study was to ascertain the vocational outcomes of individuals with chronic mental illness participating in a supported employment program.
Setting

The setting included supported Employment Services in a hospital in Hong Kong.
Sample

The sample was 388 individuals with chronic mental illness.
Data Collection

Referral forms were used to collect demographic data. A job placement and follow up record was used to assess job retention rate, job tenure, nature of job placement and earnings. A job termination form was used to evaluate the reasons for the termination of employment.
Control

The comparison condition was traditional vocational rehabilitation services.
Findings

Of the 388 patients, 267 (68.8%) obtained competitive employment. The mean job tenure was 133 days. The mean salary was HK$4,737 for full-time jobs and HK$2,329 for part-time jobs. The majority of the patients (59.6%) sustained their job placement for more than 30 days, 69 patients (25.8%) worked for more than 6 months, and 35 (13.1%)maintained the job for more than 1 year.
Conclusions

This study concluded that a supported competitive employment program could be an effective approach to enhancing vocational outcomes for individuals with chronic mental illness. Recommendations for future research for evaluation of the effectiveness of the supported competitive employment program are suggested.
URL https://www.questia.com/library/journal/1G1-169678962/a-supported-competitive-employment-programme-for-individuals
Disabilities Emotional disturbance
Populations Male & Female
Outcomes Employment acquisition | Increase in hours worked | Increase in tenure | Wages
NIDILRR Funded No
Research Design Quasi-experimental
Peer Reviewed Yes