Efficacy of a peer-led group program for unemployed people with mental health problems: Pilot randomized controlled trial

• Published in: International journal of social psychiatry Vol. 65; no. 4; pp. 333 - 337
• Main Authors: Rüsch, Nicolas, Staiger, Tobias, Waldmann, Tamara, Dekoj, Marie Christine, Brosch, Thorsten, Gabriel, Lisa, Bahemann, Andreas, Oexle, Nathalie, Klein, Thomas, Nehf, Luise, Becker, Thomas
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.06.2019; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Adult; Clinical trials; Female; Health problems; Help seeking behavior; Hopelessness; Humans; Intervention; Labor market; Male; Mental depression; Mental disorders; Mental Disorders - psychology; Mental Disorders - therapy; Mental health; Middle Aged; Participatory research; Peer Group; Pilot Projects; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Quality of Life; Recovery; Secrecy; Self esteem; Self-efficacy; Social Stigma; Social Support; Stigma; Support groups; Symptoms; Unemployed people; Unemployment; Unemployment - psychology; group program; job search; recovery; Unemployment; peer-led intervention; mental health problems
• ISSN: 0020-7640; 1741-2854
• DOI: 10.1177/0020764019846171

Background: People with long-term unemployment and mental health problems often find it difficult to take active steps toward help-seeking and job search and to navigate the complex system of available services. Likewise, job center staff would welcome interventions to improve the reintegration of long-term unemployed individuals with mental health problems into the labor market. Aim: To examine the efficacy of a peer-led group program that supports unemployed people with mental health problems in terms of help-seeking, job search and recovery. Methods: Based on participatory research, a four-session group program was designed and evaluated in a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) with 42 participants, randomized to the program (n = 23) or treatment as usual (n = 19). Outcomes were assessed at baseline (T0), 3 weeks (T1), 6 weeks (T2) and 6 months later (T3). Results: There were no significant intervention effects on primary outcomes (job search self-efficacy and help-seeking). But compared to the control group, intervention participants showed significant improvements in depressive symptoms (p = .02) and recovery (p = .04) at T2 with medium effect sizes. There were trend-level positive program effects on self-stigma, hopelessness and secrecy. Conclusion: This pilot RCT provides initial evidence for the efficacy of a peer-led group program to improve symptoms and recovery among unemployed participants with mental health problems.