Employment in patients presenting with psychotic disorders

Abstract

Background: Researchers have addressed the extraordinarily high rate of unemployment in patients with psychotic disorders for many years, but few have focused on these patients’ subjective experience of employment in the recovery process.

Method: A thematic analysis was performed by conducting six semistructured interviews with young patients diagnosed with psychotic disorders.

Results: The interviewees agreed on the importance and benefits of employment in their recovery. Acceptance, financial support, and a meaningful life can be secured throughout the working process. However, the interviewees mentioned certain barriers to seeking and sustaining employment. Stigma and low motivation were common problems in searching for a job. Cognitive deficit, the side effects of medication, and interpersonal challenges in the workplace increased the difficulty of sustaining a job.

Most of the interviewees participated in vocational rehabilitation programmes, and they expressed the belief that these programmes can help them enter the labour market at a certain level, but the programme design can be improved further to meet individual needs.

Conclusion: Consistent with previous findings, the patients faced various difficulties in open employment. Employability training, psychoeducation at the corporate level, and self-efficacy development can be considered interventions for improving patients’ vocational outcomes.