The role of Supported Employment in promoting positive health behaviour of people with learning disabilities in work
Year: 2015
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: This mixed method research study originally contributes to understand the role covered by Supported Employment Agencies (SEAs) in promoting positive health behaviours of employees with learning disabilities. \nEmployment is rarely experienced by people with learning disabilities. Supported Employment Agencies provide a service to facilitate the employment experience for people with learning disabilities, through supporting in finding, keeping and maintaining a job. While many studies on employment have highlighted health benefits for the general \npopulation in employment, data is lacking for people with learning disabilities. \nThis study wants to understand if and how Supported Employment Agencies support the health of their clients with learning disabilities. \nThe quantitative phase of this study involved managers of Supported Employment Agencies completing a web-survey to understand the strategies used by Supported Employment Agencies preventing health risk behaviours and promoting health. \nIn the qualitative phase of this study Grounded Theory Method was used to discover the role played by Supported Employment Agencies in supporting the health of their clients with learning disabilities. For this purpose interviews with mangers and job coaches of Supported \nEmployment Agencies and interviews with employees with learning disabilities were held. Results from this study reveal Supported Employment Agencies to influence the health of employees with learning disabilities in several \nways, both informally and formally. Indeed, health was a key element in all phases of supported employment, even if Supported Employment Agencies were not formally committed and funded to promote health. \nThe thesis highlights the potential for SEAs to capitalise on their role as employment mediators to promote health outcomes and healthy lifestyles for employees with learning disabilities.
Author: Elisa Vigna
Language: English
Subfield: Education
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2204315650