Incapacity claimants benefit from psychological help

Psychological intervention helps incapacity benefit claimants get back to work. Findings of a South Yorkshire study will be presented today, 15th January 2010 at the British Psychological Society Division of Occupational Psychology Annual Conference in Brighton.

Steve Kellet from the University of Sheffield and Darren Bickerstaffe and colleagues from the South Yorkshire Condition Management Programme evaluated the success of a programme that aimed to help incapacity benefit claimants better manage their health condition and return to work.

The 2,064 incapacity benefit claimants, who were categorised with a variety of conditions which included mental health (63 percent), and musculoskeletal (22 percent), attended seven sessions of the Condition Management Programme. The programme used Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) principles to help the participants manage the physical and psychological conditions leading to their problems finding and keeping employment, such as ‘Challenging unhelpful thoughts & thinking styles’ and ‘Improving motivation & self confidence’.

At a three month follow-up, 22 percent of the participants had entered paid employment, or had taken steps towards work. Significant improvements were also seen in measures of psychological wellbeing, social functioning and self-efficacy; this being especially true of those individuals claiming incapacity benefit because of mental health issues.

Darren Bickerstaffe said: "It was likely that the improved health outcomes we saw as a result of the Condition Management Programme increased the participants employability chances by increasing their understanding of what they are capable of coupled with the confidence and motivation to change their personal circumstances and improve their lives. This was witnessed in the 22 percent success rate of the programme after three months.

"In the current economic climate, interventions that increase employability and helps people return to work must be welcomed and expanded to anyone out of work regardless of benefit status. This is especially relevant to ensure that individuals are psychologically prepared to enter the world of work once the economy starts to improve."

The British Psychological Society Division of Occupational Psychology annual conference is taking place at the Brighton Holiday Inn from 13 - 15 January 2010, visit www.bps.org.uk/dop2010 for more information.

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION prior to the conference please CONTACT: The Media Centre on 0116 2529904 or email mediacentre@bps.org.uk