Examining Employment Trajectories of Individuals With Mental Disorders

This study aimed to explore the employment trajectories of individuals with mental disorders, including those with a substance use disorder, who received individual placement and support (IPS) services.

A growth mixture modeling analysis of Supported Employment Demonstration study data was used to identify distinct employment trajectories. The analysis focused on determinants of variations in work participation across different trajectories of 1,656 study participants.

Five distinct employment trajectories were found, with work history, educational attainment, and approval for disability benefits emerging as significant predictors of employment outcomes. Mental disorder symptom severity and presence of a substance use disorder were not related to negative work trajectories, highlighting the robustness of IPS for supporting diverse populations. Individuals receiving IPS services as part of the treatment group and with recent work history, higher levels of formal education, and better general medical health had more positive work trajectories that ended in higher employment rates compared with others.

Participants with co-occurring mental and substance use disorders had similar employment trajectories compared with other participants. The findings suggest that individuals with more severe psychiatric or substance use symptoms can benefit from IPS. Factors such as approval for disability benefits, previous work experience, and higher levels of education were significant in determining employment outcomes among these populations.