ENPAIR 2025

Background and Aims: Discontinuities and dropouts in vocational rehabilitation challenge participants, service providers, and cost bearers. People with mental illness need intensive support in order to cope with difficult events and determine their needs, which becomes more relevant due to increasing numbers. This project developed a routine monitoring system (ROM) to identify critical situations and discontinuities for counseling and coaching in vocational training centers (VTC).

Methods: The ROM uses a 23-item questionnaire covering five key areas: competence experience, health status, private situation, training program situation, and overall assessment. It is conducted every six weeks in the participating VTC. Data from up to 12 time points and 787 administrations are available. The sample includes 181 participants in two-year vocational training programs. An evaluation was distributed to the first cohort (N=34) to assess the items clarity, relevance, and appropriateness.

Results: The ROM shows good to excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = .82 – .89) and moderate to high retest reliability (r = .46 – .79). Participants' perceptions of competence experience, health, and private situation change between time points, while overall situation and training program stability remain. The evaluation questionnaire indicates high acceptance of the ROM, with items perceived as clear, relevant, and appropriate. Minor adjustments to improve clarity are required and changes for further implementation are planned.

Conclusion: The ROM is a reliable tool positively received by participants, complementing existing instruments. The monitoring will be further developed, aiming to identify various progress types and scenarios to derive recommendations for counseling and coaching in VTC.