Title
Professionals and managers with severe mental illnesses: findings from a national survey
UMMS Affiliation
Department of Psychiatry, Center for Mental Health Services Research; Center for Health Policy and Research
Date
3-15-2008
Document Type
Article
Medical Subject Headings
Adult; Demography; Employment; Female; Hospitalization; Humans; Male; Mental Disorders; Middle Aged; Observer Variation; Personnel Management; Prevalence; Questionnaires; Severity of Illness Index; United States
Disciplines
Health Services Research | Mental and Social Health | Psychiatric and Mental Health | Psychiatry | Psychiatry and Psychology
Abstract
This study explores the capacity of individuals with severe mental illness to be employed in managerial or professional jobs and the correlates of their vocational success. Using purposive sampling techniques, we identified a national sample of 347 individuals for a mail survey who had succeeded in obtaining and retaining mid to upper level managerial or professional positions. The majority worked full-time and held their job for more than 2 years. Their vocational success was operationalized based on 4 employment outcomes: employment status (full-time vs. part-time), job tenure, occupational rank, and annual income. Key factors that contributed to respondents' vocational success were lesser severity of the illness as indicated by lack of lifetime receipt of disability benefits, capacity to manage one's own psychiatric condition, and higher education. Study findings point to the role of supported education and self-efficacy in promoting the employment outcomes among individuals with severe mental illnesses.
Rights and Permissions
Citation: J Nerv Ment Dis. 2008 Mar;196(3):179-89. Link to article on publisher's site
