Original Article
Illness Management and Recovery Program in Community-Based Continuous Employment Support Centers in Japan：Preliminary Study on Effects and Feasibility
Kiyoko Fukushima, Manami Kodaka, Aoi Suzuki
Abstract
We implemented the illness management and recovery (IMR) program for people with severe and persistent mental disabilities who regularly utilize community-based continuous employment support centers in Tokyo, Japan, to conduct a preliminary study on effects and feasibility of the IMR program in these centers.
Twenty-three participants with severe and persistent mental disabilities were recruited from four centers. The level of recovery, quality of life, illness management skills, activation, need for care, and degree of functioning were measured before and after intervention. Fidelity scores were assessed through interviews with staff and participants.
Twenty participants completed the program. GAF scores were significantly higher at the follow-up time. Needs for care in crisis situations, were improved after intervention but not at follow-up. Fidelity scale scores were relatively high overall, except for scores for “involvement of relevant others” and “cognitive behavioral techniques.”
Our findings confirm the preliminary effects of the IMR program for people with severe mental disabilities at community-based continuous employment support centers in Japan. Feasibility of the program can be ensured by providing pre-training, on-going supervision, and culturally appropriate and socially suitable handouts.
Keywords: Illness Management and Recovery (IMR), recovery, severe and consistent mental disabilities, community-based, continuous employment support centers
Japanese Journal of Social Welfare, 57(5), 11-19 2017