Phase
III: Taxonomy Testing Phase (years 3 & 4)
Goals of this phase: To gather data from the experimental research
sites and to test the major research hypotheses.
Progress:
Phase III
•
To date, JPQ software for the Preview version has been installed
and training has occurred at two sites and scheduled for a third.
Data are being collected and transferred to a central database.
Phase
IV: Dissemination Phase (year 5)
Goals of this phase: To disseminate findings from the formal research
study, to describe the nature and potential uses of "products"
produced during the course of the research, and to provide continuing
education credits for staff education and training seminars.
Expected
Value of the Research
In the design or structuring of jobs, experts recognize that there
are distinct populations of workers for whom special consideration
needs to be given. Over two decades ago, McCormick (1979) identified
those with disabilities of varying types and the elderly (p. 301)
as two broad groups that need to be considered with regard to
job design.
Today, experts in the field of psychosocial rehabilitation recognize
that job restructuring may be needed in order to reduce the barriers
to work for members of the population of adults with SPMI (e.g.,
Mancuso, 1990). The JCM is a widely used and studied approach
to job design which addresses the relationships between the perceived
structure of jobs and important workplace outcomes. Even so, literature
reviews confirmed by a recent communication with Richard Hackman
(October, 1998 e-mail), co-developer of the JCM, revealed that
no direct tests have been conducted on the JCM as it relates to
the population of working adults with SPMI. There are numerous
reasons for conducting such an investigation. First, I/O psychologists
clearly see the relevance of job design for dealing with work-related
issues of distinct populations. Second, anecdotal evidence suggests
that dimensions of jobs and other factors noted in the JCM and
similar frameworks may be relevant to the population of adults
with SPMI. Third, investigations of work barriers that exist for
persons with psychiatric disabilities suggest a link to job design.
Finally, legislation strongly supports consideration of job accommodations,
including job re-structuring, as a means for making reasonable
workplace modifications for persons with varying disabling conditions.
A variation of the Job Characteristics Model (JCM) is expected
to have utility for effectively "matching" adults with
SPMI to jobs. Information related to perceived job characteristics
and other variables in the JCM is expected to be useful to a)
CSP workers and others engaged in communicating with consumers
about work-related issues and goals, b) job developers in assisting
members of this population seek out jobs, c) employers interested
in modifying jobs to suit the needs of persons with SPMI, and,
d) consumers and their families attempting to understand job-related
factors that might influence success at work.
Research
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