Lorenzo Pelizza1,2, Maria L Ficarelli1, Elisabetta Vignali1, Simona Artoni1, Maria C Franzini1, Serenella Montanaro1, Maria V Andreoli1, Sara Marangoni3, Elizabeth Ciampà3, Diana Erlicher3, Elisa Troisi4, Simona Pupo5,6. 1. Department of Mental Health and Pathological Addiction, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy. 2. Department of Mental Health and Pathological Addiction, Azienda USL di Parma, Parma, Italy. 3. E.N.A.I.P. Foundation, Reggio Emilia, Italy. 4. School of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Techniques, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy. 5. Intensive Care Unit, Guastalla Civil Hospital, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy. 6. Anesthesia and Resuscitation Service, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, Parma, Italy.
Abstract
AIM: Individual placement and support (IPS) has a considerable body of evidence for its effectiveness in helping people with mental disorder to achieve and maintain competitive jobs. However, little data in young adult populations are currently available, especially in Europe. Aim of this study was to assess the effect of IPS in Italian young adults with moderate-to-severe mental illness, examining the main competitive employment outcomes and drop out rates during a 3-year follow-up period. METHODS: Participants (n = 54) were recruited from patients receiving psychiatric treatment in one of the seven adult Community Mental Health Centers of the Reggio Emilia Department of Mental Health. Together with drop out rates, we investigated job duration (total number of days worked), job acquisition (employment in the labour market for at least 1 day during the follow-up), total hours per week worked, and job tenure (weeks worked on the longest-held competitive job). RESULTS: A crude competitive employment rate of 40.7% and a crude drop out rate of 22.2% over the 3-year follow-up period were found. However, 66% of 42 clients who remained in the program over 3 years gained competitive employment at some time during the 3-year period. CONCLUSIONS: This research shows the feasibility of an IPS intervention model in the public mental health care system in Italy, especially for a young adult target population.
AIM: Individual placement and support (IPS) has a considerable body of evidence for its effectiveness in helping people with mental disorder to achieve and maintain competitive jobs. However, little data in young adult populations are currently available, especially in Europe. Aim of this study was to assess the effect of IPS in Italian young adults with moderate-to-severe mental illness, examining the main competitive employment outcomes and drop out rates during a 3-year follow-up period. METHODS:Participants (n = 54) were recruited from patients receiving psychiatric treatment in one of the seven adult Community Mental Health Centers of the Reggio Emilia Department of Mental Health. Together with drop out rates, we investigated job duration (total number of days worked), job acquisition (employment in the labour market for at least 1 day during the follow-up), total hours per week worked, and job tenure (weeks worked on the longest-held competitive job). RESULTS: A crude competitive employment rate of 40.7% and a crude drop out rate of 22.2% over the 3-year follow-up period were found. However, 66% of 42 clients who remained in the program over 3 years gained competitive employment at some time during the 3-year period. CONCLUSIONS: This research shows the feasibility of an IPS intervention model in the public mental health care system in Italy, especially for a young adult target population.