Correlates of vocational recovery for persons with schizophrenia

The correlates of vocational recovery and vocational success among persons with schizophrenia were examined to identify prospective attributes that might be malleable and and accessible to intervention. A national, non-representative sample of 109 individuals with a self-reported diagnosis of a schizophrenia spectrum disorder that met criteria for vocational recovery completed a survey on sustained employment of people with serious mental illness. Eighty-two participants (75%) had uninterrupted employment during the two years prior to entering the study while the rest sustained employment for at least 12 months during the same period of time. Respondents worked from 10 to 64 hours and current receipt of Supplemental Security Income (SSI)/Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) were correlated with current work hours per week; educational level and employment in consumer self-help/advocacy settings were associated with occupational status; and current receipt of SSI/SSDI was correlated with current salary per hour. This study provides evidence that some individuals with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder have the capacity to achieve and maintain successful employment despite the challenges presented by this serious mental illness.