Real-World Uptake of Supported Employment and Education in the First 3 Months of Early Psychosis Intervention Services

Despite promising outcomes in randomized-controlled trials, uptake of supported employment and education (SEE) services among youth in early psychosis intervention (EPI) programs has been lower than expected. This study examined factors associated with the use of SEE in the first 3 months of EPI services. A prospective chart review was conducted of the records of 225 patients who were consecutively enrolled in a large EPI program. We compared participants who used SEE with those who did not use SEE in the first 3 months of treatment using t tests and chi-square tests. Multivariate logistic regression was used to model the odds of using SEE, while controlling for other factors. Among the full sample of 225 patients, 39.6% (N = 89) used SEE in the first 3 months of treatment. Compared with patients who did not use SEE, SEE users were more likely to have no legal involvement (75.0% versus 88.8%; χ2 = 6.48; p = 0.01) and use Individual Resiliency Training (IRT) in the first 3 months of treatment (34.6% versus 74.2%; χ2 = 33.74; p =  < 0.001). Not using IRT (OR = 0.19; 95% CI 0.10–0.36; p =  < 0.001) was associated with a decreased odds of using SEE in the first 3 months of treatment in the final multivariate model. These findings can be used to facilitate the development of a targeted and active approach to improving engagement in SEE among EPI service users.