The Influence of Mental Illnesses on Work Potential and Career Development

Abstract

Despite the recent focus on work in community mental health, there has been little discussion about how consumers come to think about their future for work and careers. Little is known about how the experience of mental illnesses affects career development. Using a grounded theory approach, this study explores how consumers come to understand their potential for work. The findings confirm the importance of work and career development and the need to address these issues in community mental health services. Specifically, the analysis highlights how the experience of living with mental illnesses results in feelings of uncertainty about the future and doubt about one's capacity for work. This paper explores how mental illnesses interrupt and disrupt career development, and analyzes the process of how consumers begin to consider possibilities for the future and rebuild their identities as workers.The authors wish to thank the 10 participants who shared their insights and their experiences, and the program staff who assisted with recruitment. The study was conducted as part of the requirements of a Master of Science degree in the Graduate Department of Rehabilitation Science at the University of Toronto. Funding was received from a Canadian Graduate Scholarship from the Social Sciences and Humanities Council of Canada, an Ontario Graduate Scholarship, and the Canadian Occupational Therapy Foundation.

Psychological Predictors of Vocational Success for People with Psychotic Illness

“…Gioia concluded that the reformulation of a vocational identity was central to vocational success. Gewurtz, Kirsh, Jacobson and Rappolt (2006) found that despite the presence of a fear of relapse having the opportunity to work and access to work related activities, allowed for the development of a worker identity. Dunn et al (2010) identified a process whereby people with severe mental illness adapt their working lives to their altered needs.…”

“…Providing opportunities to try out new roles through work experience can assist both the individual and service provider to further refine career direction (Gewurtz et al, 2006).…”

“…Gioia concluded that the reformulation of a vocational identity was central to vocational success. Gewurtz, Kirsh, Jacobson and Rappolt (2006) found that despite the presence of a fear of relapse having the opportunity to work and access to work related activities, allowed for the development of a Woodside et al (2006) observed that employed participants considered themselves recovered while maintaining regular self-assessment of well-being and medication regimes. Management of psychiatric symptoms was the most highly rated factor associated with obtaining and retaining work within a group of employed participants surveyed by Wu, et al (2009).…”

“…Acknowledging pre-illness career development and also an express desire to work are also important in the return to work process (Gioia, 2005). In the first instance it is the service provider's role to encourage the individual to envisage a future which includes work (Gewurtz et al, 2006).…”

“…Where supervisors and co-workers are aware of illness, individuals report a degree of comfort and encouragement associated with success (Woodside et al, 2006). Knowing that requests for time off will be agreed to, should the person experience a relapse, provides a degree of confidence in returning to work while managing illness symptoms (Gewurtz et al, 2006). Work situations that are moderately and consistently paced provide the best opportunity for vocational success.…”