Abstract
People with severe mental illness (SMI) face numerous obstacles in order to obtain and sustain employment in the regular labor market. Yet, work represents the cornerstone of recovery. Although supported employment programs are recognized as evidence-based practices to help people with SMI in their work integration, the literature highlights a ceiling effect for job acquisition (approximately 60% of participants registered in supported employment programs) and brief job tenure for most, regardless of the length of study follow-ups (short or longer) and the number of jobs obtained. This chapter reviews individual and environmental factors of employment outcomes – job acquisition and job tenure – by considering reviews, trials, and studies conducted in the domain. The goal of this chapter is also to introduce the systems, policies, and strategies implemented in different countries to facilitate the work integration of people with disabilities, particularly people with SMI. Finally, a short discussion will highlight strengths and limitations identified by researchers and health professionals regarding the work integration of people with SMI, and will mention emerging ideas and eventual recommendations on this research topic.
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Corbière, M., Charette-Dussault, É., Villotti, P. (2020). Factors of Competitive Employment for People with Severe Mental Illness, from Acquisition to Tenure. In: Bültmann, U., Siegrist, J. (eds) Handbook of Disability, Work and Health. Handbook Series in Occupational Health Sciences, vol 1. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-24334-0_29
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