Affiliations: Department of Counseling and School Psychology, University of Massachusetts-Boston, Boston, MA, USA | Ball State University, Muncie, IN, USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Molly K. Tschopp, Ph.D., C.R.C., Associate Professor, Graduate Program Director- Rehabilitation Counseling, Department of Counseling and School Psychology, University of Massachusetts-Boston, 100 Morrissey Blvd., Boston, MA 02125, USA. Tel.: +1 (617) 287 7651; E-mail: molly.tschopp@umb.edu
Abstract: The purpose of this qualitative project was to explore employment-related considerations through the perspectives of supported employment consumers with both psychiatric disabilities and criminal offense histories. Fourteen individuals participated in semi-structured interviews. Resulting themes included the importance of nonvocational services; relationship between mental illness and criminal activity; impact of mental illness and offense history on employment; helpful elements of supported employment; and recovery and advice to others. These findings help to explain how supported employment can mitigate social underachievement and social decline in an especially high need population.
