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


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Liu
K W David
KW
Department of Mental Health, Grey Nuns Community Hospital, Caritas Health Group, 1100 Youville Drive West, Edmonton, Alberta T6L 5X8, Canada. dliu@cha.ab.ca
Hollis
Vivien
V
Warren
Sharon
S
Williamson
Deanna L
DL
D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada; D016832:Employment, Supported; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007586:Job Application; D008297:Male; D028642:Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009786:Occupational Health Services; D009788:Occupational Therapy; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011582:Psychological Theory; D011788:Quality of Life; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014830:Vocational Guidance