Using CBT to improve mental health and employment outcomes for Incapacity Benefit customers: Final report

Author: Winspear, David

Source: Journal of Occupational Psychology, Employment and Disability, Volume 10, Number 2, Autumn 2008 , pp. 91-104(14)

Publisher: DWP Occupational & Health Psychology Services

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Abstract:

This article details the outcome of a study to establish the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) in helping Jobcentre Plus Incapacity Benefit customers with mild/moderate levels of anxiety/depression progress towards work. An outline of the project design is given along with pre- and post-measures of psychological health, employability, job-seeking behaviour and vocational outcomes. The findings indicate positive changes in psychological health (significantly lower levels of depression/anxiety, higher levels of reported self-esteem) and attitudes towards work (work motivation and being proactive in job-seeking) for those customers who completed their course of CBT. Customers who had a planned ending to their CBT intervention were significantly more likely to have a vocational outcome (e.g., employment, training, or work preparation) than those who did not.

Keywords: ANXIETY; APPROACH TO WORK QUESTIONNAIRE; BECK'S ANXIETY INVENTORY; BECK'S DEPRESSION INVENTORY; COGNITIVE BEHAVIOUR THERAPY (CBT); CONDITION MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME (CMP); DEPRESSION; EMPLOYABILITY; INCAPACITY BENEFIT; JOB-SEEKING BEHAVIOURS; PATHWAYS TO WORK; SELF-ESTEEM QUESTIONNAIRE