The present trial evaluated whether a supported employment approach based on the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) framework produces advantages in psychological well-being, everyday functioning, and labor-market participation for adults with severe mental disorders (SMD) living in an environment marked by widespread unemployment, relative to conventional vocational rehabilitation (VR). From an initial pool of 557 screened candidates diagnosed with ICD-10 conditions F20–F29 or F31–F32.3, 63 individuals met eligibility requirements and agreed to participate. Participants were randomly allocated to either IPS or VR. Outcome data were collected at study entry and after a six-month intervention period. The study protocol was approved by an ethics committee, formally registered, and implemented with blinded outcome assessors.
Those assigned to IPS were significantly more likely to secure competitive employment and demonstrated superior gains in overall functioning compared with participants receiving VR. No statistically meaningful differences emerged between groups on other mental health or functional indicators. However, irrespective of intervention group, individuals who entered employment reported notable improvements in quality of life. No serious adverse events, including psychiatric admissions, occurred during follow-up. The findings indicate that IPS can be implemented successfully even under adverse labor-market conditions and may generate benefits that extend beyond employment itself. While the limited sample size and brief follow-up period constrain interpretation, the results support the potential value of IPS for individuals with SMD in high-unemployment contexts.
