title: Service intensity as a predictor of competitive employment in an individual placement and support model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Previous research on the individual placement and support (IPS) model of supported employment has focused on the model's effectiveness and on fidelity to the program model. Little is known about service intensity, or the number of service contacts received. This study examined several aspects of service intensity: average level, association with weeks worked, predictors, and modulators of its effect on weeks worked.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study used data that were collected over two years from 91 persons with severe mental illness who participated in one arm of a randomized controlled trial conducted at Thresholds, a psychosocial rehabilitation center in Chicago.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Services were more intense during the initial phase of services, service intensity predicted later weeks worked, and few individual demographic and clinical characteristics were related to service intensity. Finally, high levels of cognitive symptoms weakened the relationship between service intensity and weeks worked.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests increased IPS service intensity may lead to better employment outcomes and has implications for service provision and fidelity measurement.
authors: Health Services Research and Development, Richard L. Roudebush Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 1481 W 10th St 11H, Room D6014, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. alan.mcguire@va.gov
authors: Alan B
authors: AB
authors: McGuire
authors: Gary R
authors: GR
authors: Bond
authors: Daniel R
authors: DR
authors: Clendenning
authors: Marina
authors: M
authors: Kukla
mesh_terms: D002641:Chicago; D016832:Employment, Supported / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders; D017146:Models, Organizational; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D012720:Severity of Illness Index