{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,13]],"date-time":"2026-06-13T00:51:04Z","timestamp":1781311864541,"version":"3.54.1"},"reference-count":32,"publisher":"SAGE Publications","issue":"3","content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["WOR"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2021,11,26]]},"abstract":"<jats:p>BACKGROUND: Evidence continues to build on the value of Individual Placement and Support (IPS), enabling those with long-term mental health conditions to find mainstream employment. Many of these individuals would like to work; however, unemployment for this population remains high. IPS research thus far has targeted the effectiveness of the model, with less emphasis on how individuals perceive and experience IPS and the return to work. OBJECTIVE: This study explores the barriers, enablers, meaning and personal experience of being supported to find work through IPS, for individuals with long-term mental health conditions. Findings based on lived experiences of nine participants from two Scottish centres running IPS, should be useful to enhance and develop services. METHODS: This study involves qualitative data collection, using semi-structured interviews and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). RESULTS: Transcript analysis revealed three master themes: 1) \u201cWorking is good for me\u201d: positive aspects to working; 2) \u201cRome wasn\u2019t built in a day\u201d: time-unlimited supported journey and 3) \u201cMy inner critic\u201d: negative aspects to working. Participants praised IPS for the on-going practical and emotional support in overcoming self-identified occupational barriers. CONCLUSION: Paid employment was greatly associated with financial freedom, social inclusion, increased self-esteem and alleviation of depressive symptoms. Participants described the person-centred, time-unlimited approach taken by the employment specialists (ESs) or occupational therapists (OTs), as the main enabler to maintaining paid employment. Barriers, such as anxiety and work-related stress were identified, however, participants felt supported to overcome some of these negative symptoms.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3233\/wor-213617","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2021,11,2]],"date-time":"2021-11-02T17:12:33Z","timestamp":1635873153000},"page":"973-983","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":6,"title":["Getting back to work: Experiences of the individual placement and support model from those with mental health conditions, an interpretative phenomenological analysis"],"prefix":"10.1177","volume":"70","author":[{"given":"Claire","family":"Raeside","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"NHS Forth Valley, Stirling, Scotland"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Jean","family":"McQueen","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, United 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Learning by Doing. A Guide to Teaching and Learning Methods. Oxford: Oxford Brookes Further Education Unit. 1988."},{"key":"10.3233\/WOR-213617_ref28","unstructured":"Smith J . Qualitative psychology: A practical guide to research methods. 2nd edition. London: Sage Publications LTD. 2015."},{"key":"10.3233\/WOR-213617_ref29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Neuendorf K . The content analysis guidebook. London: Sage Publishing LTD. 2016.","DOI":"10.4135\/9781071802878"},{"issue":"1","key":"10.3233\/WOR-213617_ref30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"54","DOI":"10.3109\/11038128.2012.693946","article-title":"Reclaiming the worker role: Perceptions of people with mental illness participating in IPS","volume":"20","author":"Lex\u00e9n","year":"2013","journal-title":"Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy"},{"key":"10.3233\/WOR-213617_ref31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Dark E . 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