“If you want to work, let’s work out how to make this happen”: Supporting young adults experiencing psychosis with their employment

Abstract

Young adults with psychosis want to work, but employment rates remain stubbornly low despite interventions, such as Individual Placement and Support (IPS) and Early Intervention (EI) having evidence to show they can support employment participation. There are challenges with access to and availability of evidence-based practices such as these, and with their implementation. This PhD study series explores contemporary practice used to support young adults experiencing psychosis to try to understand what might be contributing to low rates of employment, from a workforce and worker perspective. This includes finding out about the workers who engage in supporting young people with psychosis in employment – where they work and their professional backgrounds. Occupational therapists are known to be part of this workforce with their scope of practice encompassing productivity occupations, but at the present time their contemporary role in this field is not well described. This enquiry into worker perspectives will also focus on occupational therapy roles in this practice area.

This PhD study series will investigate what is known about employment processes and outcomes for young adults experiencing psychosis, as well as the workforce perspectives on these outcomes, including enablers and barriers to achieving positive outcomes. Workforce perspectives on participant practice and professional development needs will also be sought.