Supported-employment program processes and outcomes: experiences of people with schizophrenia

Abstract

Objective: This qualitative study explored participants' experiences of a supported-employment program. Understanding participants' opinions of a supported-employment program may provide insights into what processes and outcomes are meaningful and important for participants and may enable an evaluation of such processes and outcomes for their congruence with occupational therapy practice.

Method: Supported-employment program participants with schizophrenia (N= 7) were recruited from an agency and interviewed individually with open-ended questions. Data were analyzed using a grounded-theory approach.

Results: We developed a tentative grounded theory with three themes of supported-employment program outcomes: (a) removing barriers to job seeking, (b) improving psychological well-being, and (c) participating in work.

Conclusion: Supported-employment program participants can achieve meaningful personal outcomes even though they do not obtain competitive employment. These programs removed barriers to job seeking, but personal readiness and efforts in job seeking contributed most to obtaining employment.