Employment programmes for schizophrenia and other severe mental illness in psychosocial rehabilitation: a systematic review

• Published in: British Journal of Occupational Therapy Vol. 84; no. 10; pp. 605 - 619
• Main Authors: Abidin, Muhammad Zairul Rezal Zainol, Yunus, Farahiyah Wan, Rasdi, Hanif Farhan Mohd, Kadar, Masne
• Format: Book Review Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.10.2021; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Clinical outcomes; Cognitive skills training; Efficacy; Employment; Illnesses; Intervention; Mental disorders; Occupational therapy; Psychosocial factors; Psychosocial intervention; Psychosocial rehabilitation; Rehabilitation; Schizophrenia; Selection criteria; Supported employment; Systematic review; Virtual reality; Vocational education; Vocational rehabilitation; integrated supported employment; Vocational rehabilitation; vocational outcomes; non-vocational outcomes; occupational therapy
• ISSN: 0308-0226; 1477-6006
• DOI: 10.1177/0308022620980683

Introduction Employment programmes for people with mental illness vary widely in range, but nonetheless all share the same objectives of restoring or initiating vocational roles to promote recovery in psychosocial rehabilitation. The current interventions available usually focus on the specific vocational outcomes of the intervention rather than focusing holistically on the client’s needs. Method This review aimed to examine the effectiveness of intervention programmes and determine the best intervention for schizophrenia and other severe mental illness, considering both vocational and non-vocational outcomes. Searching five databases – CINAHL, Medline via Ovid, Scopus, OT Seeker and Web of Science – a total of 3108 studies was identified; 24 met the selection criteria and were reviewed. Interventions were categorised into five major programmes of supported employment, integrated supported employment, vocational rehabilitation, cognitive intervention and virtual reality-based vocational training. Results Integrated supported employment was found to be the most effective approach for a vocational outcome. However, evidence concerning non-vocational outcomes of employment programmes and the use of cognitive training remains unclear. Conclusion Clinicians are advised to consider the needs and preferences of the client before selecting the best intervention programme. More research is needed to determine the applicability and the efficacy of intervention programmes.