Supported employment versus traditional vocational rehabilitation for individuals with severe mental illness: a three-year study.

1. We developed an innovative Integrated Supported Employment (ISE) service protocol, which amplifies the effect of the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model by the addition of workrelated social skills training. 2. Participants in the ISE outperformed those in the IPS and traditional vocational rehabilitation (TVR) with respect to employment rate, job tenure, and some psychological outcomes, when assessed 39 months after admission to such services. 3. Self-efficacy was improved in ISE and IPS (but not TVR) participants after receiving service for 18 months. 4. The long-term employment rate of participants was higher in the ISE than the IPS programme. 5. The ISE is potentially applicable to other Chinese communities including mainland China.