Supporting workers with mental health problems to retain employment: users' experiences of a UK job retention project

To understand experiences and perspectives of job retention project users in relation to challenges faced and support received; to develop explanatory insight into effective interventions. 14 employed users of a United Kingdom job retention project, with a range of mental health problems. Semi-struc...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Work (Reading, Mass.) Vol. 42; no. 4; p. 461
Main Authors:	Cameron, Josh, Walker, Carl, Hart, Angie, Sadlo, Gaynor, Haslam, Imogen, Retain Support Group
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Netherlands 01-01-2012
Subjects:	Adaptation, Psychological Adult Employment, Supported - methods England Female Humans Interprofessional Relations Male Mental Disorders - diagnosis Mental Disorders - rehabilitation Mental Health Services - utilization Middle Aged Occupational Health Services - methods Occupational Health Services - utilization Peer Group Personnel Loyalty Pilot Projects Primary Health Care Problem Solving Professional Competence Qualitative Research Rehabilitation, Vocational - methods Rehabilitation, Vocational - psychology Social Support England
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Summary:	To understand experiences and perspectives of job retention project users in relation to challenges faced and support received; to develop explanatory insight into effective interventions. 14 employed users of a United Kingdom job retention project, with a range of mental health problems. Semi-structured individual interviews which were collaboratively designed with service users. Data analysis involved deductive & inductive thematic analysis, constant comparative analysis, and service user collaboration. Participants' feelings of guilt and self blame were a major obstacle to job retention. The project helped them address these by supporting a reappraisal of their situation. This assisted identification of job accommodations and adjustments and confidence in self advocacy. Thus an important basis for improved dialogue with their employer was established. A peer support group provided an important adjunct to individual project worker interventions. 10 participants retained employment; three of those who did not were helped to retain work aspirations. The project effectively used a multi-faceted approach involving a person - environment-occupation focus on the worker, their work, and workplace. Such complex interventions may offer more promise than those interventions (such as cognitive behavioural therapy) which have a primary focus on the individual worker.
ISSN:	1875-9270
DOI:	10.3233/WOR-2012-1370