Purposeful Pathways: An Integrative Career Development Intervention for Vocational, Mental Health, and Substance Use Recovery
View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Purposeful Pathways is a new intervention designed to help unemployed veterans with mental health and substance use conditions improve their careers and well-being. This study details its development and initial testing.
Area Of Science
- Psychology
- Vocational Rehabilitation
- Mental Health Services
Background
- Unemployed veterans with mental health or substance use conditions require integrated support for career development, mental wellness, and sobriety.
- Existing career interventions are often disconnected from mental health services, creating a gap in comprehensive care.
- There is a need for novel interventions that address the multifaceted needs of this veteran population.
Purpose Of The Study
- To introduce and describe the development of a novel integrative intervention, Purposeful Pathways.
- To outline the theoretical mechanisms underpinning the Purposeful Pathways intervention.
- To present findings from the iterative development process, including expert input, counselor feedback, and an open trial with veterans.
Main Methods
- Phase 1: Expert retreats with clinical and vocational psychology specialists (n=13) to define theoretical underpinnings.
- Phase 2: Focus groups with Veterans Health Affairs vocational counselors (n=6) to gather insights on service delivery.
- Phase 3: An open trial involving veterans with mental health conditions (n=10) to assess feasibility and collect feedback.
Main Results
- The development process involved iterative refinement based on expert consensus, practical counselor feedback, and veteran participant experiences.
- The Purposeful Pathways intervention was refined through a multi-phase approach, integrating clinical and vocational perspectives.
- Initial feedback from veterans in the open trial informed further adjustments to the intervention's components.
Conclusions
- Purposeful Pathways represents a novel, integrated approach to supporting veterans with co-occurring mental health and substance use conditions in their career development.
- The described iterative development process serves as a model for creating effective vocational interventions for specific populations.
- Further research is warranted to evaluate the efficacy of Purposeful Pathways in improving employment outcomes and overall well-being for veterans.
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