COMPARISON OF BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT FOR UNEMPLOYED AND EMPLOYED CLIENTS IN A CASE-MANAGEMENT PROGRAM - AN EXPLORATORY-STUDY

There is limited research in psychosocial rehabilitation literature that reviews employment barriers experienced by individuals with psychiatric disabilities. As a result Oakland County Community Mental Health Services compared barriers to employment for unemployed clients with those that employed clients experienced while working. Overall, lack of motivation, noticeable and/or severe side effects from medication, other miscellaneous issues physical health problems, and substance abuse were ranked as the most frequent barriers to employment. Differences in the hierarchy of these barriers as well as in demographic variables were noted between the 2 groups. Recommendations to overcome these barriers were offered for consideration.