Effectiveness of the Individual Placement and Support model in severe mental disorder: a systematic review

Abstract

Introduction

Employment is one of the main determinants of general health status. For people suffering from serious mental disorders, obtaining a job is a crucial point in their recovery, which is why finding, acquiring, and maintaining a job are fundamental objectives for occupational therapy interventions with this population.

Objective

Find out the results of occupational therapy interventions based on the Individual Placement and Support model in the labor market insertion and quality of life of people with severe mental disorders.

Method

A review was conducted according to the criteria established by Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Searches were carried out in the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane. Risk of bias was assessed using the Review Manager Web tool. The review protocol was registered at PROSPERO: CRD42023418778.

Results

Twelve studies were included. Participants ranged in age from 18 to 53 years, with predominance of males. Vocational results show that the employment rate was at least 20% higher in the individualized employment support group than in the control group. No conclusive findings were found for non-vocational outcomes.

Conclusion

The results suggest that this model is effective in the employability of people with severe mental disorders. Future studies with greater methodological rigor are needed to confirm the effectiveness of this model in non-professional variables.

Keywords:
Mental Disorders; Employment; Supported; Quality of Life; Occupational Therapy