Subjective perceptions that affect the continued employment of persons with mental disabilities in Japan: A mixed-methods study

BACKGROUND: Among people with mental disabilities in Japan, 50.7% have left employment within a year despite the provision of employment support. Their subjective perceptions are likely relevant, as many causes for leaving employment are personal. However, thus far, employment continuity assessment has been based on objective indicators, while subjective evaluation remains underdeveloped. OBJECTIVE: We conducted a mixed-methods study to identify the subjective characteristics that impact the ability of persons with mental disabilities to continue working while receiving employment support. METHODS: In total, 41 participants with mental disabilities in continuous employment were included in the study, and data were collected using a demographic and employment status questionnaire and theWorker's Role Interview. Further, to clarify the constructs related to subjective perceptions of work continuity, the step for coding and theorization (SCAT) method was utilized. RESULTS: The results revealed five overarching superordinate concepts and 12 subordinate concepts of subjective perceptions regarding maintaining the current work and the future for participants who continue to work. These perceptions may be related to the participants' experience and the time course of work continuity. Subjective perceptions of difficulty levels were found to be the most and the least difficult for a reasonable accommodation without specific rules and awareness of the effects of work concepts, respectively. CONCLUSION: This research could facilitate the development of an employment support system based on people with mental disabilities' subjective needs, thus contributing to their continued employment.