Research Database: Article Details

Citation:  McGuire, A.B., Bond, G.R., Clendenning, D.R., & Kukla, M. (2011). Service intensity as a predictor of competitive employment in an individual placement and support model. Psychiatric Services, 62 (9), 1066-1072.
Title:  Service intensity as a predictor of competitive employment in an individual placement and support model
Authors:  McGuire, A.B., Bond, G.R., Clendenning, D.R., & Kukla, M.
Year:  2011
Journal/Publication:  Psychiatric Services
Publisher:  American Psychiatric Association
Full text:  https://ps.psychiatryonline.org/doi/pdf/10.1176/ps.62.9.pss6209_106...    |   PDF   
Peer-reviewed?  Yes
NIDILRR-funded?  No
Research design:  Mixed methods

Structured abstract:

Background:  Research has been done on supported employment for people with psychiatric disorders; however, little of it has been focused "on variables that moderate the relationship between service intensity and vocational outcomes" (p. 1067)
Purpose:  The study reviewed "four aspects of service intensity in a supported employment program" (p. 1067): 1. Average level of service intensity 2. Association between service intensity and weeks worked 3. Individual demographics and clinical variables associated with service intensity 4. Individual characteristics that moderate the relationship between service intensity and weeks worked
Setting:  The setting included 2 Psychiatric Rehabilitation Centers located in Chicago, Illinois.
Study sample:  The sample was made up of 96 participants in the IPS group and 98 in the diversified placement approach group. Participants were randomly assigned to the two groups, and 5 discontinued IPS services within the first 3 months, which reduced the sample size for IPS to 91.
Intervention:  The intervention was the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model of supported employment
Control or comparison condition:  The comparison condition was the Diversified Placement Approach.
Data collection and analysis:  The intervention group was enrolled between 1999 and 2002, while data collection continued until 2004. Data were obtained from Threshold's PsychServe system and were measured in terms of hours of support. Clients were also completed a survey, which included demographics, as well as a self-report of number of weeks worked and number of years since last employment. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale was administered, as well as the number of lifetime hospitalizations and diagnosis (using DSM-IV). These were collected at baseline. Data were analyzed using SPSS 11.0 for Windows and Hierarchical Linear Modeling. Zeroes were recorded for participants' IPS contacts for quarters when they dropped IPS. Hypotheses were tested by totaling variables across the entire study and conducting hierarchical linear modeling regressions, as well as examining the data longitudinally by using the hierarchical linear model.
Findings:  Forty-eight participants continued IPS services for the entire two years. People who dropped out did not differ from those who continued on either demographics or clinical variables. IPS services and mental health services declined over time; therefore, the intensity of IPS services was positively correlated with mental health services. The number of IPS contacts in one quarter was positively associated with the number of weeks worked in the following quarter.
Conclusions:  Increasing ISP services intensity may improve employment outcomes.

Disabilities served:  Chronic mental illness
Populations served:  Race: Black / African American
Ethnicity: Hispanic or Latino
Interventions:  Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model of supported employment
Outcomes:  Employment acquisition