Do people with bipolar disorders have access to psychosocial treatments? A survey in Italy

BACKGROUND

Several guidelines consider psychosocial treatments an essential component of clinical management of bipolar disorders in addition to drug therapy. However, to what extent such interventions are available in everyday practice to the average patient attending mental health services is not known.

AIMS

This study aims to investigate access of people with bipolar disorders to psychosocial treatments in a community-based care system.

METHOD

Information on care delivery and service utilization were retrieved from the psychiatric database of Lombardy, Italy, covering a population of 9,743,000, for all adults who had at least one contact in 2009 with psychiatric services. Rates of patients with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder who had access to individual psychotherapy, couple/family therapy, group psychotherapy and family interventions were calculated and compared to patients with schizophrenia and depression.

RESULTS

A total of 8,899 subjects with bipolar disorder had been in contact with psychiatric services, corresponding to a treated annual prevalence rate of 1.1‰. More than 80% of patients were treated in community settings. Rates of patients receiving structured psychosocial treatments ranged from 0.7% for couple/family therapy to 6.1% for individual psychotherapy. No differences with patients with schizophrenia and depression were found. Patients with schizophrenia received more interventions labeled as rehabilitation.

CONCLUSION

Few people with bipolar disorders had access to psychosocial treatments. Even in a well-developed system of community care, offer of psychosocial interventions for bipolar disorders is inadequate. This issue should be a target for future research on dissemination and implementation strategies.

Nature and prevalence of mental illness in the workplace

This discussion paper explores the state of knowledge about the prevalence of mental illness and its effect on the working population. Major trends in the literature are also commented on, and significant gaps in knowledge are identified. Annually, 12% of Canadians from 15 to 64 years suffer from a mental disorder or substance dependence. Few studies have examined the prevalence of mental disorders among Canadian workers. Results from Ontario estimate that monthly, about 8% of the working population has a diagnosable mental disorder. Preliminary findings also indicate differences in the prevalence of mental disorders among workers with regard to occupation, age, sex, physical disorders, work environment and work-related stress. Studies indicate that mental and emotional health problems are associated with staggering social and economic costs, which create a heavy burden on the workplace. About one-third of society's depression-related productivity losses can be attributed to work disruptions. The impact of mental illness on the workplace has been examined in terms of its effect on presenteeism, absenteeism and disability days. The presence of any of these has been used to indicate decreased productivity, the largest burden arising from presenteeism. In total, Canada annually loses about $4.5 billion from this decreased productivity. Mental illness is also associated with short-term and long-term disability, which in turn is often related to insurance coverage. Mental illness related disability claims have doubled and mental illness accounts for 30% of disability claims, at a cost of $15 to $33 billion annually. The needs of the working population and employers must be addressed. We must be aware of patterns of mental disorder among occupational groups and industry sectors. In addition, we must understand how the disability benefit structure impacts the prevalence as well as patterns of disability related to mental illness. Effective policies and programs must be based on solid evidence.

Prevalence, mortality and healthcare utilization of cluster B personality disorders in Quebec: A province cohort study, 2001–2012

Background

Cluster B personality disorder (PD) is a highly prevalent mental health condition in general population (1 to 6% depending on the subtype and study). Patients affected are known to be heavier users of both mental and medical healthcare than other clinical conditions such as depression. Few studies have highlighted their elevated mortality rate compared to general population.

Methods

The estimates were produced using data from the integrated monitoring system for chronic disease of Quebec. It provides annual and life prevalence, mortality rate, years of and healthcare utilization profile Quebec inhabitants.

Results

A total of 7,995,963 people were included in the study. The life prevalence of cluster B PD is 2.6%. The mean years of lost life is 13 for men and 9 for women when they are compared to general population. The 3 most important causes of death are: suicide (20.4%), cardiovascular diseases (19.1%) and cancers (18.6%). The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for each medical condition is superior in cluster B personality disorders than general population. The most important SMR is for suicide (male: 10.2 and female: 21). In the year 2011–2012, 78% had consulted a general practitioner, 62% a psychiatrist, 41% were admitted in an emergency department and 21% were hospitalized.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

A Surveillance System to Monitor Excess Mortality of People With Mental Illness in Canada

OBJECTIVE

Outcome measures are rarely available for surveillance and system performance monitoring for mental disorders and addictions. Our study aims to demonstrate the feasibility and face validity of routinely measuring the mortality gap in the Canadian context at the provincial and regional levels using the methods and data available to the Canadian Chronic Disease Surveillance System (CCDSS) of the Public Health Agency of Canada.

METHODS

We used longitudinal data from the Quebec Integrated Chronic Disease Surveillance System, which also provides aggregated data to the CCDSS. This includes data from the health insurance registry physician claims and the hospital discharge abstract for all mental disorder diagnoses (International Classification of Diseases [ICD]-9 290-319 or ICD-10 F00-F99). Patients were defined as having had received a mental disorder diagnosis at least once during the year. Life expectancy was measured using Chiang's method for abridged life tables, complemented by the Hsieh method for adjustment of the last age interval.

RESULTS

We found a lower life expectancy among psychiatric patients of 8 years for men and 5 years for women. For patients with schizophrenia, life expectancy was lowered by 12 years for men and 8 years for women. Cardiovascular disease and cancer were the most common causes of premature death. Findings were consistent across time and regions of the province. Lower estimates of the mortality gap, compared with literature, could be explained by the inclusion of primary care patients and methods.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrates the feasibility of using administrative data to measure the impact of current and future mental health plans in Canada provided the techniques can be replicated in other Canadian provinces.

Attempted Suicide Among Students and Young Adults in Montreal, Quebec, Canada: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study of Hospitalized and Nonhospitalized Suicide Attempts Based on Chart Review

OBJECTIVE

We conducted a chart review to identify postsecondary students and nonstudents in the same age range who presented to the emergency department following a suicide attempt to (1) compare demographic characteristics and suicide risk factors and (2) determine factors associated with more serious attempts requiring hospitalizations.

METHOD

The study was conducted in 1 tertiary trauma hospital and 1 community hospital affiliated with McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, between January 1, 2009, and March 31, 2010. Charts of patients with potential suicide attempts were identified from medical records using ICD-10 codes that indicated traumatic injury, intentional self-harm, poisoning, and psychiatric or perception/cognition disorders and from the emergency department triage file using keywords that indicated suicidality or self-harm at presentation.

RESULTS

In multivariable logistic regression models (odds ratio, 95% CI), students were younger (per 5-year increase: 0.22, 0.12-0.41), less likely to be born in Canada (0.17, 0.06-0.44), and more likely to use less violent methods (laceration, poisoning, other, multiple methods) versus more violent methods (collision, jump, fire burns, firearm, hanging) in their attempt. Fewer students had a history of substance abuse (0.12, 0.02-0.94) but were not different from nonstudents on history of other mental disorders. Less students attempted suicide in the winter/spring (January-April) versus fall (September-December) semester (0.32, 0.11-0.91). Students who attempted suicide were more likely to have family/social support. Those who attempted suicide in the previous year were more likely to require hospitalization for their current suicide attempt.

CONCLUSIONS

Knowledge of specific factors associated with suicide attempts in young people can help inform and guide suicide prevention efforts in both academic and community settings. Specific to the findings of this study regarding the method of suicide attempt used, for example, limiting access to dangerous substances or large quantities of medications may help prevent or reduce suicide attempts in this population.

Feasibility and acceptability of patient partnership to improve access to primary care for the physical health of patients with severe mental illnesses: an interactive guide

Introduction

Even in countries with universal healthcare systems, excess mortality rates due to physical chronic diseases in patients also suffering from serious mental illness like schizophrenia is such that their life expectancy could be lessened by up to 20 years. The possible explanations for this disparity include: unhealthy habits (i.e. smoking; lack of exercise); side-effects of psychotropic medication; delays in the detection or initial presentation leading to a more advanced disease at diagnosis; and inequity of access to services. The main objective of this paper is to explore the feasibility and acceptability of patient partnership for developing an interactive guide to improve access to primary care providers for chronic diseases management and health promotion among patients with severe mental illnesses.

Methods

A participatory action research design was used to engage patients with mental illness as full research partners for a strategy for patient-oriented research in primary care for persons with schizophrenia who also have chronic physical illnesses. This strategy was also developed in partnership with a health and social services centre responsible for the health of the population of a territory with about 100,000 inhabitants in East-end Montreal, Canada. A new interactive guide was developed by patient research partners and used by 146 participating patients with serious mental illness who live on this territory, for them to be better prepared for their medical appointment with a General Practitioner by becoming more aware of their own physical condition.

Results

Patient research partners produced a series of 33 short videos depicting signs and symptoms of common chronic diseases and risk factors for the leading causes of mortality and study participants were able to complete the corresponding 33-item questionnaire on an electronic touch screen tablet. What proved to be most relevant in terms of interactivity was the dynamic that has developed among the study participants during the small group learning sessions, a training technique designed for healthcare professionals that was adapted for this project for, and with patient partners.

Conclusion

This research has shown the feasibility and acceptability of patient partnership and patient-oriented research approaches to the R&D process of a new medical tool and intervention for patients with serious mental illness, and its acceptability for addressing inequity of this disadvantaged population in terms of access to primary care providers.

50 ans de service public pour les politiques et l’organisation des services de psychiatrie communautaire au Québec

Cet essai, rédigé en deux articles compagnons (Partie I & II), est destiné mettre en valeur le service public de psychiatres du Département de psychiatrie de l’Université de Montréal ayant oeuvré au niveau du ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (MSSS) pour les politiques de désinstitutionnalisation et l’organisation des services de psychiatrie communautaire pour les personnes avec des troubles mentaux graves. Il s’agit des Drs Camille Laurin, Denis Lazure, Arthur Amyot, Luc Blanchet et André Delorme.

Dans cette seconde partie, la période 2003-2015 sera couverte. Elle marque la fin du Comité de la santé mentale du Québec (1971-2003), et ses travaux féconds interdisciplinaires. 2003, c’est l’entrée au ministère du Dr André Delorme qui y détient sans doute un des records de longévité, servant depuis 2003 à la Direction de la santé mentale transférée sous la nouvelle Direction des affaires médicales et universitaires du MSSS également créée en 2003.

Cette phase voit l’émergence depuis le modèle de psychiatrie communautaire d’une approche différentiée, les cliniques spécialisées ou l’approche par programme-clientèle. Mais ce dernier modèle ne dispose pas des ressources nécessaires pour s’étendre et éviter des difficultés d’accès. L’essai conclut avec une discussion sur l’impact de la toute nouvelle gouvernance du système de la santé et des services sociaux du Québec, la loi 10. En simplifiant le système de santé en deux lignes (soins primaires dans les bureaux des médecins de famille, avec soutien infirmier et social ; soins spécialisés par le personnel des centres intégrés de santé et de services sociaux [CISSS]), il sera soutenu qu’il y a des opportunités pour un financement plus équitable et un système plus équilibré de santé mentale au Québec.

50 ans de service public pour les politiques et l’organisation de services de psychiatrie communautaire au Québec

Cet essai, rédigé en deux articles compagnons (Partie I & II), est destiné mettre en valeur le service public de cinq psychiatres du Département de psychiatrie de l’Université de Montréal ayant oeuvré au niveau du ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (MSSS) pour les politiques de désinstitutionnalisation et l’organisation des services de psychiatrie communautaire pour les personnes avec des troubles mentaux graves. Il s’agit des Drs Camille Laurin, Denis Lazure, Arthur Amyot, Luc Blanchet et André Delorme.

Dans cette première partie, l’essai proposera comme grille de lecture de la recherche sur les services, quatre références, soit les arguments pour des soins dans la communauté des psychiatres et chercheurs britannique et italien, Thornicroft et Tansella ; Les enjeux systémiques dans toute réforme de l’infirmière et chercheure canadienne Paula Goering ; la proposition de régulation du système de santé du chercheur québécois en administration de la santé le Professeur André-Pierre Contandriopoulos ; et enfin la tension structurelle entre le secteur médical et social signalée par le sociologue américain de la santé Leutz.

L’essai enchaînera avec un narratif des phases connues de la désinstitutionnalisation, soit la phase asilaire (pré-1960), communautaire (1960-2000) et différentiée (depuis 2000). L’essai signalera la marche inexorable vers un hôpital sans mur, un travail interdisciplinaire, des tensions entre le curatif et la réadaptation et le financement décroissant qui avec une organisation et un leadership contesté ou essoufflé, donne lieu à des déficits que sont la transinstitutionnalisation dans l’itinérance et dans le système judiciaire.

Implementing Suicide Prevention Programs: Costs and Potential Life Years Saved in Canada

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the costs and effects of suicide prevention programs at the population level.

AIMS OF THE STUDY

We aimed to determine (i) the costs associated with a suicide death and using prospective values (ii) the costs and effects of transferring, into a Canadian context, the results of the European Nuremberg Alliance against Depression (NAD) trial with the addition of 4 community-based suicide prevention strategies. These included the training of family physicians in the detection and treatment of depression, population campaigns aimed at increasing awareness about depression, the training of community leaders among first responders and follow-up of individuals who attempted suicide.

METHODS

This study includes a prospective value implementation study design. Using published data and information from interviews with Canadian decision makers, we assessed the costs of a suicide death in the province of Quebec and the costs of potentially implementing the NAD multi-modal suicide prevention programs, and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), from a health care system and societal perspective, associated with the NAD program while considering the friction cost method (FCM) and human capital approach (HCA) (discounted at 3%.) The costs considered included those incurred for the suicide prevention program and direct medical and non-medical costs as well as those related to a police investigation and funeral costs. Indirect costs associated with loss of productivity and short term disability were also considered. Sensitivity analyses were also carried out. Costs presented were in 2010 dollars.

RESULTS

The annual total cost of implementing the suicide prevention programs in Quebec reached CAD23,982,293. The most expensive components of the program included the follow-up of individuals who had attempted suicide and psychotherapy for bereaved individuals. These accounted for 39% and 34% of total costs. The ICER associated with the implementation of the programs reached on average CAD3,979 per life year saved.

DISCUSSION

Suicide prevention programs such as the NAD trial are cost-effective and can result in important potential cost-savings due to averted suicide deaths and reduced life years lost.

IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH CARE PROVISION AND USE

Implementation of suicide prevention programs at the population level in Canada is cost-effective. Community mental health programs aimed at increasing awareness and the treatment of depression and better follow-up of high risk individuals for suicide are associated with a minimal per capita investment. These programs can result in important potential cost-savings due to averted suicide deaths and decreased disability due to depression.

IMPLICATIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH

Additional research should focus on whether the outcomes of multi-modal suicide programs are specific or synergistic and most effective for which population subgroups. This may help inform how best to invest resources for the highest return.

The association between traumatic brain injury and suicide: are kids at risk?

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) in late adolescence and adulthood is associated with a higher risk of suicide; however, it is unknown whether this association is also present in people who sustained a TBI during childhood. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether experiencing a TBI during childhood is a risk factor for suicide later in life and to examine whether the risk of suicide differs by sex or injury severity. A cohort of 135,703 children aged 0-17 years was identified from the Quebec population-based physician reimbursement database in 1987, and follow-up was conducted until 2008. Of the children in this cohort, 21,047 had sustained a TBI. Using a survival analysis with time-dependent indicators of TBI, we found a higher risk of suicide for people who sustained a TBI during childhood (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.49, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04, 2.14), adolescence (HR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.09, 2.26), and adulthood (HR = 2.53, 95% CI: 1.79, 3.59). When compared with less severe injuries, such as concussions and cranial fractures, more severe injuries, such as intracranial hemorrhages, were associated with a higher risk of suicide (HR = 2.18 vs. 2.77, respectively). Repeated injuries were associated with higher risks of suicide in all age groups.

Resident and proprietor perspectives on a recovery orientation in community-based housing

OBJECTIVE

Stable housing is a fundamental human right, and an important element for both mental health recovery and social inclusion among people with serious mental illness. This article reports findings from a study on the recovery orientation of structured congregate community housing services using the Recovery Self-Assessment Questionnaire (RSA) adapted for housing (O'Connell, Tondora, Croog, Evans, & Davidson, 2005).

METHODS

The RSA questionnaires were administered to 118 residents and housing providers from 112 congregate housing units located in Montreal, Canada.

RESULTS

Residents rated their homes as significantly less recovery-oriented than did proprietors, which is contrary to previous studies of clinical services or Assertive Community Treatment where RSA scores for service users were significantly higher than service provider scores. Findings for both groups suggest the need for improvement on 5 of 6 RSA factors. While proprietors favored recovery training and education, and valued resident opinion and experience, vestiges of a traditional medical model governing this housing emerged in other findings, as in agreement between the 2 groups that residents have little choice in case management, or in the belief among proprietors that residents are unable to manage their symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

This study demonstrates that the RSA adapted for housing is a useful tool for creating recovery profiles of housing services. The findings provide practical guidance on how to promote a recovery orientation in structured community housing, as well as a novel approach for reaching a common understanding of what this entails among stakeholders. (PsycINFO Database Record

Factors associated with suicide in the month following contact with different types of health services in Quebec

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to identify factors associated with suicide death occurring in the month following an outpatient visit, emergency room contact, or hospitalization.

METHODS

The results of this study are based on data for 8,851 individuals ages 11 years and older who died between January 1, 2000, and December 15, 2007, and whose death was confirmed as suicide by the coroner's office in Quebec, Canada. Health service use in the year prior to death was assessed by review of data from the province's public health insurance agency. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess the association of clinical and sociodemographic factors and the occurrence of suicide death in the month following versus more than one month after the last use of health services.

RESULTS

A total of 81.6% of suicide decedents had consulted on an outpatient basis, 48.7% had visited an emergency department, and 28.5% were hospitalized in the year prior to death. Among individuals who had been discharged from an emergency department or a hospital closest to their death, 29.5% and 75.3%, respectively, died in the month following discharge. The most consistent modifiable factor associated with death in the month following last contact was number of outpatient consultations following discharge.

CONCLUSIONS

Ensuring follow-up care after an emergency department visit or hospitalization may be associated with a longer period between discharge and suicide, allowing for more time to intervene and, possibly, prevent suicide.

[Fifty years of public service for Quebec community psychiatry services. Part I]

This essay comprises 2 parts. It aims to recognize the public service of psychiatrists of the Département de psychiatrie de l'Université de Montréal who served at the provincial level of the Ministry of Health and Social Services for deinstitutionalisation of policies and organisation of services, at the service of people with severe mental disorders. First with Dr. Camille Laurin post-face of the 1962 book Les fous crient au secours! (Mentally ill patients cry for help); then the insight on the latest phase of differentiated specialised clinics by Dr. Denis Lazure, who participated in 1962 to the Bédard, Lazure, Roberts commission that launched community psychiatry, but who will also be Social Affairs Minister in the late '70 s; Dr. Arthur Amyot will sail through the budgetary issues when in the beginning of the '80s the mental health directorate was under Social Affairs; Dr. Luc Blanchet will be associated to a rich production of interdisciplinary reports by the advisory Mental Health Committee until its dismissal in 2003; and finally, Dr. André Delorme, who probably has the record of longevity at the head of the mental health directorate, transferred in 2003 under the deputy minister for medical and university affairs.The essay will propose since the beginning a grid or referential of four health services analysis. First; the arguments for community care by British and Italian psychiatrists and researchers, Thornicroft and Tansella. Second; system issues of mental health reforms proposed by Canadian psychiatric nurse and researcher Paula Goering. Third; the model of socio-political regulation of health system proposed by the Université de Montréal' health administration researcher Dr. André-Pierre Contandriopoulos; and Fourth; the structural tension between the medical and social sector signaled by the American medical sociologist, Leutz.The same phases of deinstitutionalization in other countries as UK, took place as followed: a) the asylum phase (before 1960); b) the psychiatry community (1960-2000); and c) the differentiated system (since 2000). The essay will evidence the long march towards hospitals without walls, interdisciplinary work, tension between cure and rehabilitation and a relative decreasing budget. This in conjunction with vulnerability in organisation and leadership, attributed to tension or burn out has revealed system deficits like the trans-institution towards homelessness or towards the judiciary system. The essay will conclude with a discussion on the opportunities and challenges of the very new Law 10 that reforms the general governance of the provincial and regional health and social services and hopes for a more balanced mental health care system in Quebec.

High users of emergency departments in Quebec among patients with both schizophrenia and a substance use disorder

OBJECTIVE

The study assessed factors associated over time with high use of emergency departments by patients in Quebec who had schizophrenia and a co-occurring substance use disorder.

METHODS

The cohort study included 2,921 patients who received a diagnosis of schizophrenia in 2006 and had at least one emergency department visit during fiscal year 2006-2007. Generalized estimating equations were used to estimate predictors of high use of emergency departments over time.

RESULTS

After adjustment for all covariates, predictors of high use over time were as follows: living in either a university medical region (OR=2.10) or a peripheral medical region (OR=2.10), frequent hospitalization (OR=1.16), and greater number of psychiatric (OR=1.64) or physical comorbidities (OR=1.23).

CONCLUSIONS

Because high use of emergency departments is a strong indicator of poor care continuity, identified associated factors could help develop and offer new programs to be deployed in the community to better support these patients with greater needs.

Disentangling the influence of neighborhood and individual characteristics on early residential mobility among newly diagnosed patients with schizophrenia: a multilevel analysis

PURPOSE

Early residential mobility of schizophrenic patients may relate to discontinuity of treatment and adverse outcome. However, factors influencing early residential mobility of these patients are still poorly examined. The aim of this study was to disentangle the influence of individual and neighborhood characteristics on early residential mobility of schizophrenic patients.

METHODS

The study used administrative data of 13, 400 individuals newly diagnosed with schizophrenia in Quebec between 2001 and 2002. These individuals were nested in 163 different health territories. Multilevel analyses were used to assess the contribution of individual and neighborhood characteristics on early residential mobility.

RESULTS

The final model indicates that at the individual level, being men, wonder patients and physical comorbidity increased the likelihood of early residential mobility whereas older patients were less likely to migrate earlier. The health territory level explains about 7 % of the variation of early residential mobility and variables influencing residential mobility at this level are the fourth and the third quartiles of the population density.

CONCLUSIONS

Factors influencing early residential mobility of schizophrenic patients are located at both individual and neighborhood levels. This suggests that policies targeting only one-level factors are unlikely to significantly delays early residential mobility.

Weight cycling and depressive symptoms in diabetes: a community-based study of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Quebec

OBJECTIVE

The problems of obesity and depression in type 2 diabetes mellitus are well documented, yet the role of weight cycling in relation to these 2 chronic conditions has not been examined. The study objective was to determine whether weight cycling predicts the development of depressive symptoms in the course of 1 year.

METHODS

A cohort study of 1100 adults with type 2 diabetes participating in the Diabetes Health and Well-Being Study (telephone survey using the random-digit-dialling method) had complete data at the 1-year follow up on depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire 9) and weight cycling frequency (going on a diet and losing >10 kg).

RESULTS

At baseline, 56.5% of subjects reported weight cycling on at least 1 occasion in their lifetime; it was found to be associated with baseline body mass index, depression, sex and age (p<0.05). Regression analyses indicated that severe weight cycling (≥4 times) was not associated with the development of major depressive symptoms; however, it was associated with maintaining major depressive symptoms (p=0.038) but significance disappeared after adjusting for body mass index, physical activity, smoking and sociodemographic characteristics. Development and maintenance of major depressive symptoms were associated with physical inactivity (p<0.05); maintenance of major depressive symptoms was also associated with higher body mass index values (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Weight cycling is a widespread phenomenon in diabetes. It was associated with depression, but severe cycling was not an independent predictor of the development and maintenance of major depressive symptoms. Clinicians should consider physical inactivity when evaluating and addressing depression in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Work accommodations and natural supports for maintaining employment

OBJECTIVE

Job tenure for people with severe mental disorders, even for those enrolled in supported employment programs, is typically brief. Few studies to date have investigated the relationship between accommodations and natural supports available in the workplace, and job tenure for this population. The main objectives of this study were to develop and to validate a new measure to describe work accommodations and natural supports available in the workplace and to determine which of them are significantly related to job tenure for participants enrolled in supported employment services.

METHODS

In total, 124 people with a severe mental disorder enrolled in supported employment programs and who obtained only one competitive employment at the 9-month follow-up answered the Work Accommodation and Natural Support Scale (WANSS). They also provided information regarding their disclosure (or non-) of mental disorders in the workplace and the length of their job tenure.

RESULTS

Confirmatory factor analysis conducted on the WANSS showed 40 items distributed on 6 dimensions (e.g., Schedule flexibility). Correlation results showed that disclosure was significantly related to the number of work accommodations and natural supports available in the workplace. Survival analyses indicated that one WANSS dimension was more salient in predicting job tenure: Supervisor and coworker supports.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATION FOR PRACTICE

The WANSS is a valid and useful tool to assess work accommodations and natural supports available in the workplace that employment specialists could use in their practice.