Supported employment: assessing the evidence

Area of Science:

• Mental Health Services Research
• Vocational Rehabilitation
• Psychiatric Rehabilitation

Background:

• Supported employment is a structured service designed to assist adults with mental disorders or co-occurring conditions in obtaining and maintaining competitive employment.
• The service encompasses multiple components aimed at facilitating vocational success.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the supported employment model.
• To critically assess the existing evidence base for the effectiveness of supported employment services.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature review was conducted, encompassing meta-analyses, research reviews, and individual studies published between 1995 and 2012.
• Searches were performed across major academic databases including PubMed, PsycINFO, and ERIC.
• Evidence levels were categorized as high, moderate, or low based on study quantity and methodological quality.

Main Results:

• The evidence for supported employment, particularly the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model, was graded as high, supported by 12 systematic reviews and 17 randomized controlled trials.
• Consistently positive outcomes were observed, including increased rates of competitive employment, reduced time to job acquisition, greater work hours and weeks, and higher wages.
• Individual components of the supported employment model also showed strong evidence of effectiveness.

Conclusions:

• There is substantial evidence confirming the effectiveness of supported employment services.
• Policymakers are encouraged to consider integrating supported employment as a covered service.
• Further research is recommended to explore outcomes in diverse subgroups, including young and older adults, individuals with primary substance use disorders, and various cultural, racial, and ethnic groups.