Supported Education and Supported Employment for Individuals at Clinical-High Risk of Psychosis: A Pilot Study

Deteriorated functioning is a part of the clinical-high risk (CHR) criteria for psychosis. Diminished social, educational and occupational functioning in the phase of late adolescence and early adulthood are associated with long-term social, economic and health consequences, which stresses the importance of early intervention to stimulate functioning. This pilot study examines the effectiveness and feasibility of the choose-get-keep model of Supported Education and Supported Employment (SEE) to improve educational and occupational functioning of individuals at CHR for a psychosis. A single blind randomized controlled pilot study combined SEE with treatment as usual (TAU) versus TAU among adolescents and early adults at CHR. School performance and job status as well as global functioning scales were assessed at twelve months. Of the 78 eligible participants, 20 individuals consented to participate in this study. At follow-up, participants in the intervention condition (n = 9) did not start an education more often than the participants in the control condition (n = 11) and the school results for both conditions were similar. However, in the intervention condition there were no school dropouts, more participants gained a job and worked longer hours. Two participants quit the intervention. This pilot study provides preliminary evidence that a SEE intervention is effective and feasible in sustaining and improving the level of both educational and occupational functioning of individuals at CHR for psychosis by supporting them in attaining, keeping and elaborating of their education or employment.