Affiliations: Department of Kinesiology and Community Health,
University of Illinois, Champaign, IL, USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Deirdre O'Sullivan, M.S., University
of Illinois, Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, 127 Huff Hall,
MC-588, Champaign, IL 61820, USA. E-mail: strauser@uiuc.edu
Abstract: Due to the current demands of today's competitive and team-oriented
workplaces, organizations are becoming increasingly dependent on assessing
potential and current employee traits that go beyond skills and education.
Contextual work behaviors, such as getting along with others, accepting
supervision, and ability to adapt to changes, are proving to be salient factors
in predicting overall successful employment outcomes. These contextual
behaviors are often learned in childhood during the school years and by
watching parents and role models demonstrate behaviors related to work.
Individuals with psychiatric disabilities often have a harder time than
individuals who do not experience symptoms of psychiatric disabilities
demonstrating positive contextual work behaviors. This paper will outline the
importance of evaluating work personality using the Developmental Work
Personality Scale for individuals with psychiatric disabilities.
