Affiliations: [a]
Department of Health Sciences/Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| [b]
Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Social Medicine and Global Health, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| [c]
Department of Health Sciences/Work and Mental Health, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
Correspondence:
[*]
Address for correspondence: Annika Lexén, Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, P.O. Box 157, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden. Tel.: +46 46 222 17 86; E-mail: annika.lexen@med.lu.se.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Rehabilitation professionals are increasingly interested in the vocational rehabilitation approach called Individual Placement and Support (IPS) for persons with serious mental illness. OBJECTIVE:Since employers play a crucial supporting role for the IPS service user in the workplace, the aim of this study was to explore the experiences and views of employers in Sweden who have participated in the IPS network and taken IPS service users into their workforce. METHODS:Grounded theory with situational analysis was used to analyze data from nine employers. RESULTS:The core category being socially committed was identified. Six stages/categories illustrated the employer process, from taking on IPS service users to supporting them at work: 1) IPS is the keyhole, 2) being ready to open the door, 3) making a job offer, 4) removing barriers, 5) achieving the goal, and 6) pride mixed with negative feelings. CONCLUSION:The study results suggest that collaborative relationships with employers must be based on trust and professionalism, and that employers must be provided with adequate support.
Keywords: Supported employment, vocational rehabilitation, occupational therapy, severe mental illness
