What influences employment continuity for individuals with mental disabilities?

What is it about?

Among people with mental disabilities in Japan, 50.7% have left employment within a year despite the provision of employment support. Their subjective perceptions are likely relevant, as many causes for leaving employment are personal. However, thus far, employment continuity assessment has been based on objective indicators, while subjective evaluation remains underdeveloped. We conducted a mixed-methods study to identify the subjective characteristics that impact the ability of persons with mental disabilities to continue working while receiving employment support.

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Photo by LinkedIn Sales Solutions on Unsplash

Photo by LinkedIn Sales Solutions on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This study used a mixed-methods approach to identify the characteristics of the subjective perceptions that affect the employment of people with mental disabilities who continue to work. The results revealed five overarching superordinate concepts and 12 subordinate concepts of the subjective perceptions regarding maintaining the current work and the future for the participants who continue to work, drawing on their experiences and work preparation. The subjective perceptions may be related to the participants’ experience and the time course of continuing to work. In the future, it is expected that the participants’ subjective perceptions will be focused on in support of continued employment; further, the subjective needs for continued employment will be reflected.

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