Background: Although competitive integrated employment (CIE) has been established as a goal of employment research, policy, and practice for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the secondary benefits of CIE are rarely discussed.
Aims: The purpose of this systematic review was to analyze and synthesise research related to the association between CIE and improved economic, psychological health, and physical health outcomes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Materials & methods: Our review searched peer-reviewed literature from seven electronic databases and screened 1110 peer-reviewed articles based on inclusion criteria established following PRISMA guidelines.
Results: Our search procedures produced a final sample of 17 studies.
Discussion: Implications of these findings for future research, policy, and practice are provided.
Conclusion: Our findings showed strong evidence associated with economic outcomes of CIE, moderate associated with psychological health outcomes, and limited evidence related to physical health outcomes.
Keywords: economics; employment; intellectual and developmental disabilities; physical health; psychological health.
© 2022 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.