Mental health and employment: some economic evidence

Perspectives on paid work among men and women with schizophrenia: The results of a two study comparison in Ireland

BACKGROUND

While research indicates that people with serious mental health conditions want to work, few studies have examined motivation and concerns associated with employment.

OBJECTIVES

This study examined the work attitudes among two samples of Irish people with psychotic conditions, primarily schizophrenia.

METHODS

Data gathered through two work related research projects was used. A self-report instrument, the work motivation scale (WMS), gathered data in two separate studies. It was possible to examine participants' motives and concerns due to the two factor structure, positive and negative, of this scale. Descriptive statistical analysis was conducted for each of the two samples individually. A sub-analysis by gender was also conducted.

RESULTS

Across the two samples, analysis showed the consistent motivators were increased coping ability, improved self-identity, and enhanced self-worth. Men particularly wanted others to see them as good workers. On the other hand, women regarded a job as a means to forget about having a mental illness. A sizeable minority in both samples expressed apprehensions such as work being boring and an expectation from others that they should work rather than them being personally motivated to do so.

CONCLUSIONS

While caution must be exercised in interpreting the results due to the small sample size, this study has extended our understanding in this under-researched but important topic.