Reclaiming employment: A pilot study of online entrepreneurship training for individuals with psychiatric disabilities

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Many individuals with psychiatric disabilities face workplace challenges that motivate them to pursue self-employment, but accessible self-employment support is lacking. Using participatory action research, Reclaiming EmploymentTM (RE), an online interactive platform that provides self-employment education for people who experience mental health-related challenges around work, was developed to address these gaps. OBJECTIVE: An observational pilot study of RE examined usage, usability, self-efficacy, and self-employment income. METHODS: Participants (N = 97) used RE for six months; survey data was collected at three timepoints to measure entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) and income generated from self-employment. Usability was assessed post-intervention using the System Usability Scale. RESULTS: More than 70% of participants used RE; there was no association between non-usage and demographic characteristics, nor prior use of other self-employment supports. RE users rated the platform at above average usability, although those who experienced long-term unemployment rated the platform significantly lower compared to wage or self-employed users. In longitudinal regression models, we found use of RE was significantly associated with increases in some ESE subscales and mean ESE. Use of RE was not associated with gains in income. CONCLUSION: This pilot study demonstrates acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary effectiveness of an online entrepreneurship training for individuals with psychiatric disabilities.