Vocational and Psychosocial Outcomes of Work Re-Integration Programs for Individuals with Severe Mental Illness: A Rapid Systematic Review

Abstract

There are an estimated 11.2 million adults in the United States with a serious mental illness and this population is 6-7 times more likely to be unemployed. A systematic review of the literature related to work re-integration programs for individuals with severe mental illness was conducted to determine the role of occupational therapy in this area of practice. This included a comprehensive review of 25 studies that addressed many of the interventions commonly used in vocational and supported employment programs for individuals with severe mental illness and related mental health disorders. Findings reveal that various types of work re-integration programs result in competitive work attainment, increased job tenure, improved quality of life, and improved psychosocial factors. Occupational therapy could facilitate interventions related to work re-integration that improve vocational and non-vocational outcomes for this population. The literature over work re-integration programs is limited and more research is needed in order to understand the correlation between those with SMI and employment outcomes.