title: Perspectives on barriers to employment for job seekers with mental illness and additional substance-use problems.
abstract: This paper examines the barriers to employment faced by job seekers (JS) with mental illness and additional substance-use issues. Semi-structured interviews concerning barriers to employment for JS with mental illness and substance-use problems and strategies to improve employment outcomes were conducted with stakeholders associated with an employment service provider specialising in mental illness (n = 17). Stakeholders were JS, family members who provide significant support to JS [support persons (SP)] and staff [employment staff (ES)]. Data were collected between May and August 2009 at the premises of the employment service provider in metropolitan Sydney. Thematic analysis of transcribed interview data was conducted to develop a meaningful data framework. The expectations of JS and SP regarding employment outcomes were higher than those of ES. Length of time unemployed was perceived as the most important barrier to future employment associated with mental illness, and substance-use problems were associated with lower, more variable motivation, restrictions on the environments where JS could work and more negative community and employer perceptions. The findings are consistent with studies from non-vocational settings and provide direction for meeting the needs of clients with mental illness and additional substance-use problems. Ensuring alignment between JS and ES concerning service goals and expected timeframes may improve JS motivation, satisfaction with service delivery and ultimately, employment outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Australian College of Applied Psychology, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Lynne M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Lynda R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Matthews
authors.forename: Jonine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Penrose-Wall
authors.forename: Ashraful
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alam
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jaworski
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007586:Job Application; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications
keywords: disability; employment; mental illness; psychosocial rehabilitation; substance use