OBJECTIVES: Despite growing interest in the area of vocational rehabilitation for persons with psychiatric disabilities, there exist few specialized vocational training facilities nor programs for schizophrenic patients in Korea. This study was intended to develop and evaluate a vocational rehabilitation program geared to improving personal factors identified to be the most significant barriers to schizophrenics' vocational rehabilitation. METHODS: The effects of program were evaluated using experimental/control pretest-posttest design. An experimental group received the vocational training two sessions a week for three months and a control group received same day treatment except the vocational training. RESULTS: The results indicated that the score of a training group was significantly increased compared to those of a control group on 'The assertive job hunting survey' and 'The job related problemsolving skill assessment'. The score of a training group on the PANSS was not significantly changed compared to those of a control group. CONCLUSION: The data provide useful information about the potential role of the program on assertiveness in job hunting activity and job related problem-solving skill. Although the impact of training on symptom reduction was not significant, the program seemed to suggest an important intervention method for schizophrenic patients' rehabilitation.
Assertiveness ; Humans ; Korea ; Rehabilitation ; Rehabilitation, Vocational* ; Schizophrenia*

BACKGROUND

A substantial number of COVID-19 recoverees are working-aged individuals, which makes return-towork (RTW) an essential part of rehabilitation. Many COVID-19 recoverees must deal with physical and mental symptoms of post-COVID conditions such as fatigue, dyspnea, difficulty concentrating, memory lapses, and anxiety. These symptoms coupled with often insufficient support from employers and the government can make the RTW process complicated. Although research related to RTW after COVID-19 has begun to emerge over the years, few primary studies have come out from developing countries.

This exploratory study aims to describe perceived work ability and health-related quality of life, lived experiences of the RTW process, and role of rehabilitation in a limited sample of Filipino COVID-19 recoverees. 

Using purposive sampling and a convergent parallel mixed-method design, the study draws on an online survey and group interviews to understand expectations, experiences, and self-rated work ability of working-age adults with post-COVID condition. We report the findings of the questionnaire data using descriptive statistics. From the questionnaire respondents, eight participants were interviewed to explore the RTW experiences from multiple perspectives. The group interview was conducted online, and narrative analysis was used to explore the data. This analytic process involved an iterative and inductive process between data gathering and data analysis.

Findings from our narrative analysis are reported under four themes: 1) The period of liminality; 2) A ‘positive’ problem; 3) Health as a psychosocial and justice issue; and 4) The reimagination of paid work. The narratives gathered document an overview of how selected Filipinos overcame the COVID-19 infection and their recovery and RTW process.

Results call for a re-examination of the concept of health and paid work for individuals undergoing rehabilitation and recovery.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to analyze and clarify the concept of 'motivation for vocational rehabilitation in persons with mental disabilities'. METHODS: A hybrid model was used to analyze the concept of motivation for vocational rehabilitation in persons with mental disabilities. The model included a comprehensive literature review and field study. Field study was conducted through in-depth interviews with 5 persons with mental disabilities who had employment experience and participant observation in rehabilitation facilities. RESULTS: The concept of motivation for vocational rehabilitation in persons with mental disabilities was found to be a complex phenomenon having meaning in two dimensions: Goal-oriented and cognitive dimensions. Five attributes and fourteen indicators were defined. Motivation for vocational rehabilitation in these persons was defined as a recognition of the need to get a job, and the willingness and confidence to get and keep a job in order to achieve normal life, happiness, economic stability, and their value. CONCLUSION: The findings from this study will contribute to the development of assessment tools and nursing interventions to reinforce the motivation for vocational rehabilitation in persons with mental disabilities.
Employment ; Happiness ; Humans ; Mentally Disabled Persons ; Motivation* ; Nursing ; Occupations ; Rehabilitation ; Rehabilitation, Vocational*

PURPOSE: This study tried to explore factors influencing on job maintenance of the mentally disabled who employed before. The subjects of this study were the mentally disabled who participated in community mental health center and social rehabilitation center, there had experienced a job in the past. METHODS: The number of community centers were 27 places, there were located in different region. The number of participants were 221 persons agreed to this study. Data was analyzed by Mean, SD and logistic regression analyzation using SPSS/WIN 14.0. RESULTS: General character such as age was significant factor. Monthly pay and working a day in the midst of job related factors were significant. Moreover, job rehabilitation program satisfaction rate and social support revealed significant factors. CONCLUSION: On the basis of results, Job rehabilitation programs for job maintenance of the mentally disabled should be development and establish mediate strategies to improve social support to them.
Humans ; Logistic Models ; Mental Health ; Mentally Disabled Persons ; Rehabilitation Centers ; Rehabilitation, Vocational

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the components for vocational rehabilitation program including the strengths and job simulation, and to provide the data of the upper extremity strengths for a successful return to work. METHOD: Sixty normal untrained subjects(male 30, female 30) were examined for the grip and pinch strengths using Jamar dynamometer and Preston pinch gauge, and the strengths of five simulated tasks using work simulation of Cybex 6000 Testing and Rehabilitation System(Cybex, Division of Lumex, inc., USA). RESULTS: The values during the tasks were significantly different in males compared to females(p<0.01). Strengths of the right upper extremity by Jamar dynamometer, Preston pinch gauge, gripping device, T-handle(radial direction), and flutted knob(radial direction) were significantly different compared to the left(p<0.01). Grip strengths between Jamar dynamometer and gripping device of Cybex were highly correlated(p<0.01). All the measured values were significantly correlated with both weight and height(p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The results of this study can be used as a baseline data for the vocational rehabilitation in patients with a disability of upper extremity.
Female ; Hand Strength ; Humans ; Male ; Pinch Strength ; Rehabilitation ; Rehabilitation, Vocational ; Return to Work ; Upper Extremity*

Recently, increased emphasis has been placed on the need for rehabilitation professionals to objectively evaluate a patient's potential for and progress toward a return to normal function. But as medical recovery nears completion, additional questions are commonly asked by physicians regarding work function and ability to return to full active employment. In the past, therapists have attempted to reestablish the work situation using real tools, but these machines were expensive, have space limitations and in some cases, potentially dangerous as well. A Baltimore Therapeutic Equipment(BTE) Work Simulator overcomes these shortcomings. It can be used for isometric and isotonic evaluation and treatment and assisted in providing the information needed to make determinations regarding progress in therapy, return-to-work status and job modifications. We are going to obtain normative isometric, dynamic and endurance of grip strength, key pinch strength and three point pinch strength data using BTE Work Simulator model WS20. We also compare these data between ages and sexs. This study will be helpful in clinical applications of the BTE Work Simulator and providing the more specific job related occupational therapy and developing special vocational rehabilitation program.
Employment ; Hand Strength* ; Occupational Therapy ; Pinch Strength* ; Rehabilitation ; Rehabilitation, Vocational ; Return to Work

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify turnover intentions in workers with mentally disabilities working in manufacturing industry. METHODS: Participants were 147 workers with mentally disabled living in B-city and Y-city. The data were collected from September 1st to November 30th, 2011 using self-report questionnaires including measurements of turnover intentions, family support, work volition, working environment, job satisfaction and internalized stigma. Data analysis was done using the SPSS/WIN 18.0 program. RESULTS: The average score for turnover intention was 2.9+/-0.7. Turnover intention was related to job satisfaction, working environment, family support and internalized stigma. The predicting factors for turnover intention were job satisfaction, internalized stigma and gender. Those factors accounted for 41.9% of turnover intention. CONCLUSION: The results imply that workers with mentally disabled need to reduce internalized stigma as well as to increase job satisfaction in order to decrease turnover intention.
Humans ; Intention ; Job Satisfaction ; Mentally Disabled Persons ; Personnel Turnover ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Rehabilitation, Vocational ; Statistics as Topic ; Volition

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the actual state of people with mental disorders in Korea, in order to present an alternative proposal for their work fitness and vocational rehabilitation. METHODS: The authors conducted this study through a review of statistics on the prevalence of mental disorder, labor laws, and the literatures related with work fitness and vocational rehabilitation of people with mental disorders. RESULTS: According to recent surveys, about 3 million people in Korea are likely to have mental disorders which could lead to discrimination in social life and dishonor in occupational career, either in the present or near future. Therefore, evaluation of work fitness and vocational rehabilitation for persons with mental disorders are important. At present, work fitness for psychiatric patients is evaluated without suitable guidelines regarding the kinds and severity of mental disorders that impede work capacity. Furthermore, mental disorder-specific fitness for work is not under consideration. CONCLUSION: It is true that most psychiatric patients have some limitation in performing their job. However, judging from the results of some research, proper displacement, apprehension of co-workers, and adjusted workplace could help them complete their tasks properly despite their troublesome psychiatric symptomatology. The government must help all citizens to do their best in their social life, and show a deep interest in the employment of all disabled people including those with psychiatric disorders. Above all we have to change our attitudes and preconceptions against people with mental disorders. Some labor laws, which presently impede employment of people with psychiatric disorders, need to be revised in their favor. Future work capacity evaluation should be done on the basis of ability to function in the workplace rather than symptomatology.
Discrimination (Psychology) ; Employment ; Humans ; Jurisprudence ; Korea* ; Mental Disorders* ; Prevalence ; Rehabilitation, Vocational ; Work Capacity Evaluation

OBJECTIVES: Psychosocial treatment combined with pharmacological treatment has been established as one of the most important interventions for schizophrenia. However, it still does not show Editor's note: I was not certain whether you intended the highlighted text to convey "psychosocial treatment + pharmacological treatment is an important treatment" or "psychosocial treatment is an important treatment, and pharmacological treatment is also an important treatment." My edit reflects the former. If you actually intended the latter meaning, please change this sentence to read, "Psychosocial treatment has been established alongside pharmacological treatment as one of the most important interventions for schizophrenia." satisfactory results with regard to patients' social adjustment and independent living abilities. For this study, we reviewed the psychosocial treatment of schizophrenia: its therapeutic concepts, methods, effects of clinical application, and therapeutic limitations. METHODS: We searched four areas of the English website Pubmed: family therapy, social skills training, cognitive remediation, and vocational rehabilitation, which are the main psychosocial treatment areas for schizophrenia. RESULTS: Family therapy can reduce the relapse rate through psychoeducation, stress management, and behavioral intervention for family members when the therapy lasts longer than 9 months. This effect seems to last longer than 2 years. Social skills training allows patients to acquire specific skills but shows a relatively small effect on symptom improvement and relapse prevention. However, it is possible that social skills training has a lasting or generalized effect on the obtained skills if practiced long term (longer than 1 year). Basic neurocognitive function training shows a relatively small effect on social functioning, while additive and comprehensive social interventions, such as social cognition, social skill training, and context appraisal show a moderate effect on patients' social functioning. The success of vocational adjustment is related to premorbid functioning, negative symptoms, and cognitive functioning, and direct expert support can help patients' vocational functioning in the workplace. CONCLUSION: The psychosocial treatment of schizophrenia has many important achievements during the past 30 years. However, several limitations of each type of psychosocial therapy have been ascertained during this same period. Researchers in the field of psychosocial treatment for schizophrenia have recently been trying to find more efficient treatments, by correcting distortions of social cognition, combining various treatment modules, and attempting new therapeutic approaches to psychosocial treatment.
Achievement ; Cognition ; Family Therapy ; Humans ; Independent Living ; Recurrence ; Rehabilitation, Vocational ; Schizophrenia ; Social Adjustment

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the degree of satisfaction of part-time work of the mentally disabled and the factors affecting their job satisfaction. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 106 part-time workers with mental illness in the city of B and Y. The data were collected from February 1, 2012 to May 30, 2012 using self-report questionnaires including the measurement scales of job satisfaction, family support, work volition and the degree of satisfaction with work environment. The data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, multiple regression with the SPSS/WIN 18.0 program. RESULTS: The mean of score for job satisfaction was 61.8+/-13.84. Job satisfaction was highly related to family support, work environment and work volition. The associated factor of the subjects job satisfaction were family support, work environment, work volition, and the period of employment. The combination of these four factors showed an explanation for job satisfaction at the rate of 80.2%. CONCLUSION: The results imply that job satisfaction needs to be increased for the job continuity of employees with mental illness. In addition to this, work environment, work volition and family support should first be improved for the increase of job satisfaction.
Employment ; Humans ; Job Satisfaction ; Mentally Disabled Persons ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Rehabilitation, Vocational ; Volition ; Weights and Measures