Stig Evensen1, Torill Ueland1,2, June Ullevoldsæter Lystad1, Helen Bull1, Ole Klungsøyr1,3, Egil W Martinsen1,4, Erik Falkum1,4. 1. a Department of Research, Division of Mental Health and Addiction , Oslo University Hospital , Oslo , Norway. 2. b Department of Psychology , University of Oslo , Oslo , Norway. 3. c Oslo Center for Biostatistics and Epidemiology , Oslo University Hospital , Oslo , Norway. 4. d Department of Clinical Medicine , University of Oslo , Oslo , Norway.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Employment is an important part of recovery for individuals with schizophrenia. The employment rate for this group is as low as 10% in Norway, and major system related barriers to employment are evident. AIMS: This study reports the competitive employment outcome at 2-year follow-up of a vocational rehabilitation study augmented with cognitive remediation (CR) or elements from cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. It also investigates if global functioning, self-esteem, and depression at baseline predicts employment outcome, and if change in these variables during the intervention period is associated with employment outcome. METHOD: One hundred and forty-eight participants with schizophrenia spectrum disorders in six Norwegian counties received 10 months vocational rehabilitation augmented with either CBT (n = 84) or CR (n = 64). Both competitive and sheltered workplaces were used. Participants were assessed at baseline, at the end of the intervention period, and at 2-year follow-up. RESULTS: At 2-year follow-up, 21.2% had obtained competitive employment. A further 25.3% had work placements in competitive workplaces. Significant improvements were found in global functioning, self-esteem, and depression during the intervention period, but no significant differences between the two intervention groups. High baseline global functioning and self-esteem, as well as positive change in these variables during the intervention period, were significantly associated with higher competitive employment outcome at 2-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: The results add to existing evidence that competitive employment is attainable for individuals with schizophrenia. High global functioning and self-esteem were strongly associated with competitive employment outcome.
BACKGROUND: Employment is an important part of recovery for individuals with schizophrenia. The employment rate for this group is as low as 10% in Norway, and major system related barriers to employment are evident. AIMS: This study reports the competitive employment outcome at 2-year follow-up of a vocational rehabilitation study augmented with cognitive remediation (CR) or elements from cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. It also investigates if global functioning, self-esteem, and depression at baseline predicts employment outcome, and if change in these variables during the intervention period is associated with employment outcome. METHOD: One hundred and forty-eight participants with schizophrenia spectrum disorders in six Norwegian counties received 10 months vocational rehabilitation augmented with either CBT (n = 84) or CR (n = 64). Both competitive and sheltered workplaces were used. Participants were assessed at baseline, at the end of the intervention period, and at 2-year follow-up. RESULTS: At 2-year follow-up, 21.2% had obtained competitive employment. A further 25.3% had work placements in competitive workplaces. Significant improvements were found in global functioning, self-esteem, and depression during the intervention period, but no significant differences between the two intervention groups. High baseline global functioning and self-esteem, as well as positive change in these variables during the intervention period, were significantly associated with higher competitive employment outcome at 2-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: The results add to existing evidence that competitive employment is attainable for individuals with schizophrenia. High global functioning and self-esteem were strongly associated with competitive employment outcome.
Entities:
Keywords:
Schizophrenia; employment outcome; global functioning; self-esteem; vocational rehabilitation
Authors: Sami H Alzahrani; Ebtihaj O Fallata; Marwa A Alabdulwahab; Wesam A Alsafi; Jamil Bashawri Journal: BMC Psychiatry Date: 2017-05-30 Impact factor: 3.630
Authors: Susan Prior; Donald Maciver; Randi W Aas; Bonnie Kirsh; Annika Lexen; Lana van Niekerk; Linda Irvine Fitzpatrick; Kirsty Forsyth Journal: BMC Psychiatry Date: 2020-07-08 Impact factor: 3.630