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Evaluation of a cognitive-behavioural intervention augmenting individual placement and support

Naomi Boycott (Institute of Mental Health, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK)
Justine Schneider (School of Sociology and Social Policy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK)
Mary McMurran (Institute of Mental Health, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK)

Mental Health and Social Inclusion

ISSN: 2042-8308

Article publication date: 9 May 2016

126

Abstract

Purpose

A feasibility study of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) as an adjunct to individual placement and support (IPS) with adults with severe mental illness showed that fewer people who received CBT dropped out and more obtained jobs. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how the adjunct CBT programme worked. CBT used a problem-solving approach to address common psychological barriers to employment.

Design/methodology/approach

Baseline and six-month follow-up scores were compared on measures of problem solving, executive functioning, fear of negative evaluation, self-esteem, and stigma.

Findings

At baseline, the majority of the 23 participants scored within the normal range on measures. Around half of the participants showed improvement in social problem solving, executive functioning, and fear of negative evaluation. General improvements in self-esteem were seen. Change in the expected areas according to module choice was evident, however this was inconsistent.

Research limitations/implications

Many participants were within normal ranges on the measures at baseline. Offering participants a choice of topics led to some people having few sessions, possibly too few to produce benefits. Although the modules on offer targeted commonly experienced problems, they may not have been the most important to these participants.

Practical implications

CBT does appear to enhance IPS but the mechanisms by which this occurs is unclear. To improve adjunct CBT, there is a need to clarify the most beneficial targets and identify the mechanisms by which CBT may augment IPS.

Originality/value

This study begins to identify the processes by which CBT can enhance IPS for adults with severe mental illness.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This project was funded by the National Institute of Health Research’s Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care-Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, and Lincolnshire Programme. The views and opinions expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the CLAHRC-NDL Programme, NIHR, National Health Service (NHS), or the Department of Health. The authors are indebted to all of the NHS and University colleagues who made the study possible. Special thanks to Dr Athfah Akhtar, who was responsible for the day-to-day running of the study, all of the interviews, and the main analysis. Also, thanks to the Early Intervention in Psychosis and Recovery teams who joined the study, and most importantly to the participants who agreed to take part. Ethical approval was given by Derbyshire Research Ethics Committee (ISRCTN18240558).

Citation

Boycott, N., Schneider, J. and McMurran, M. (2016), "Evaluation of a cognitive-behavioural intervention augmenting individual placement and support", Mental Health and Social Inclusion, Vol. 20 No. 2, pp. 119-125. https://doi.org/10.1108/MHSI-02-2016-0005

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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