Demographic covariates, vocational rehabilitation services, and job retention of people with mental health conditions: A hierarchical logistic regression analysis
AI Summary
Postsecondary education increased odds of retained employment; low income, secondary disability, and SSI/SSDI receipt reduced retention.
Supported employment and short-term job supports had the strongest positive impact, followed by job placement, maintenance for basic needs, and transportation assistance.
VR should emphasise employment retention and address socioeconomic barriers; counsellors and policymakers should prioritise supported employment, short-term and maintenance services.
Psychiatr Rehabil J. 2026 Jun 25. doi: 10.1037/prj0000689. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This study examined demographic characteristics and vocational rehabilitation (VR) services associated with job retention, defined as maintaining employed status at VR case closure, among individuals with mental health conditions who were employed at the time of VR application.
METHODS: A secondary analysis of the U.S. Department of Education’s Rehabilitation Services Administration Case Service Report data set was conducted, combining Program Years 2022 and 2023. The analytic sample included 5,679 prime working-age adults (25-54) with mental health conditions who were employed at VR entry and received at least one service. Employment status at case closure (retained employment vs. not employed) was the dependent variable. Predictors included demographic and socioeconomic factors (age, gender, race/ethnicity, secondary disability, significant disability status, low-income status, Supplemental Security Income/Social Security Disability Insurance receipt, postsecondary education) and VR services received. Hierarchical logistic regression was used to evaluate predictors across two steps.
RESULTS: Overall, 59.4% of participants were employed at case closure. Having postsecondary education increased the chances of staying employed, while being low-income, having a secondary disability, or receiving Supplemental Security Income/Social Security Disability Insurance reduced those chances. Several VR services made a clear difference: Supported employment and short-term job supports had the strongest positive impact, followed by job placement assistance, maintenance support for basic needs, and transportation assistance.
CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Findings suggest that VR may benefit from placing greater emphasis on employment retention. Services that stabilize employment and address socioeconomic barriers improve retention. Counselors and policymakers should prioritize supported employment, short-term supports, and maintenance services while addressing systemic barriers. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
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