Experience in Employment and Job Retention of Persons with Mental Disabilities Working at Subsidiary-type Standard Workplaces for the Disabled

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to explore the employment experiences of mentally disabled employees working in the subsidiary company for the disabled.Methods: Ten people who employed in the subsidiary company for the disabled interviewed with 12 months. The study had a qualitative descriptive design and qualitative content analysis was used.Results: Employment experiences of mentally disabled employees was emerged into three domains (support, effort, expectation and demand), six categories (relational support, supportive work environment, system support, self-management efforts, improving the quality of employment, improving awareness) and 12 subcategories.Conclusions: In conclusion, for stable employment of the mentally disabled peoples, efforts are required at the individual, company, and government level. A flexible and careful work environment for the mentally disabled peoples and support systems such as counseling and case management are needed to be considered. Job assignments that meet the individual skills and needs of persons with mental disabilities should be considered, and it is necessary to develop an integrated supported employment program that supports individual skills training after employment. Above all, a government effort is needed to eliminate social prejudice against mental illness, and also an effort to improve employers' awareness are needed.