Marc Corbière1, Patrizia Villotti2, Tania Lecomte3, Gary R Bond4, Alain Lesage5, Elliot M Goldner6. 1. Center for Action in Work Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation. 2. Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento. 3. Department of Psychology, University of Montreal. 4. Dartmouth Psychiatric Research Center. 5. Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal (CRIUSMM). 6. Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health & Addiction, Simon Fraser University.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Job tenure for people with severe mental disorders, even for those enrolled in supported employment programs, is typically brief. Few studies to date have investigated the relationship between accommodations and natural supports available in the workplace, and job tenure for this population. The main objectives of this study were to develop and to validate a new measure to describe work accommodations and natural supports available in the workplace and to determine which of them are significantly related to job tenure for participants enrolled in supported employment services. METHODS: In total, 124 people with a severe mental disorder enrolled in supported employment programs and who obtained only one competitive employment at the 9-month follow-up answered the Work Accommodation and Natural Support Scale (WANSS). They also provided information regarding their disclosure (or non-) of mental disorders in the workplace and the length of their job tenure. RESULTS: Confirmatory factor analysis conducted on the WANSS showed 40 items distributed on 6 dimensions (e.g., Schedule flexibility). Correlation results showed that disclosure was significantly related to the number of work accommodations and natural supports available in the workplace. Survival analyses indicated that one WANSS dimension was more salient in predicting job tenure: Supervisor and coworker supports. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATION FOR PRACTICE: The WANSS is a valid and useful tool to assess work accommodations and natural supports available in the workplace that employment specialists could use in their practice.
OBJECTIVE: Job tenure for people with severe mental disorders, even for those enrolled in supported employment programs, is typically brief. Few studies to date have investigated the relationship between accommodations and natural supports available in the workplace, and job tenure for this population. The main objectives of this study were to develop and to validate a new measure to describe work accommodations and natural supports available in the workplace and to determine which of them are significantly related to job tenure for participants enrolled in supported employment services. METHODS: In total, 124 people with a severe mental disorder enrolled in supported employment programs and who obtained only one competitive employment at the 9-month follow-up answered the Work Accommodation and Natural Support Scale (WANSS). They also provided information regarding their disclosure (or non-) of mental disorders in the workplace and the length of their job tenure. RESULTS: Confirmatory factor analysis conducted on the WANSS showed 40 items distributed on 6 dimensions (e.g., Schedule flexibility). Correlation results showed that disclosure was significantly related to the number of work accommodations and natural supports available in the workplace. Survival analyses indicated that one WANSS dimension was more salient in predicting job tenure: Supervisor and coworker supports. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATION FOR PRACTICE: The WANSS is a valid and useful tool to assess work accommodations and natural supports available in the workplace that employment specialists could use in their practice.
Authors: Patrizia Villotti; Marc Corbière; Ellie Fossey; Franco Fraccaroli; Tania Lecomte; Carol Harvey Journal: Community Ment Health J Date: 2016-12-03