Affiliations: Department of Occupational Therapy and Community
Health, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL, USA | College of Health Professions, Florida Gulf Coast
University, Fort Myers, FL, USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Susan Gregitis, Ed.D., OTR/L,
Department of Occupational Therapy and Community Health, Florida Gulf Coast
University, 10501 FGCU Boulevard South, Fort Myers, FL 33965-6565, USA. Tel.:
+1 239 590 7555; Fax: +1 239 590 7474; E-mail: sgregiti@fgcu.edu
Abstract: Objective: Examine the impact of the Clubhouse Model of Vocational
Rehabilitation by comparing the roles values of employed and unemployed
members. It is a model of psychiatric rehabilitation and community support,
which emphasizes the importance of work as a major re-integrative force for
Clubhouse members. Participants: Sixty Clubhouse members consisting of 31
employed members and 29 non-employed members. Methods: A convenience
sample of sixty participants completed the Role Checklist (Revised) (Oakley,
Kielhofner, Barris, and Klinger-Reichler, 1988), the Maryland Addiction
Questionnaire Short-Form (O'Donnell, 1997), and the Historical Background
Survey (Gregitis, 2003). The study was completed at an ICCD certified Clubhouse
in the United States. Results: Results showed that there was no
significant difference in the working role values of employed and unemployed
participants. However, there was a significant difference in resistance to
treatment of substance use by employed and unemployed participants. Conclusions: Volition and motivation of the employed Clubhouse members was
higher when seeking work and pursuing life roles outside the Clubhouse
environment. Unemployed Clubhouse members derived personal satisfaction and
volition in the work-ordered day within the clubhouse setting. Further research
should include verification, with a larger sample, of the importance of the
working role in relation to mental health.
Keywords: Working role, values, clubhouse model programming
