ERIC Number: EJ1417861
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 23
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1931-5864
EISSN: EISSN-1931-5872
Exploring the Impact of Mental Health Symptoms in the Workplace and Supportive Accommodations for Young Adults with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities and Co-Occurring Mental Health Conditions
Ariel Schwartz; E. Sally Rogers
Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disabilities, v17 n2 p83-105 2024
Background: Young adults (YA) with intellectual/developmental disabilities and co-occurring mental health conditions (MH) are underemployed. One reason may be a lack of accommodations that mitigate the impact of MH challenges at work. We explored common workplace MH impacts and supportive accommodations. Methods: Interviews with YA with intellectual/developmental disabilities and co-occurring MH conditions (n = 12) and focus groups with professionals who support them to attain and maintain jobs (n = 17). YA also completed a survey describing MH impacts and accommodations. Findings: Although individualized, common MH impacts included challenges with attendance, performing and switching between work tasks, feeling overwhelmed, and sensory overload. Participants valued breaks, individualized scheduling, and social supports. Participants endorsed the potential usefulness of several accommodations they had not previously requested. Conclusions: Accommodations should be tailored to each YA. Further, YA may benefit from education about the range of accommodations that may support them to manage their MH symptoms at work.
Descriptors: Mental Health, Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Work Environment, Accessibility (for Disabled), Young Adults, Intellectual Disability, Developmental Disabilities, Comorbidity, Underemployment, Employee Attitudes, Attendance, Performance, Psychological Patterns
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Social Security Administration (SSA); National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) (DHHS/ACL)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: 90AREM0001