Affiliations: Ageing, Work and Health Research Unit, Faculty of
Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia | Australian College of Applied Psychology, Sydney, NSW,
Australia | Break Thru People Solutions, Sydney, NSW,
Australia | Department of International Public Health, Sydney
School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Note: [] Corresponding author: Lynda R. Matthews, Ageing, Work and Health
Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, PO Box
170, Lidcombe, NSW 1825, Australia. Tel.: +61 2 9351 9537; Fax: +61 2 9351
9566; E-mail: lynda.matthews@sydney.edu.au
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Labour force participation of people with mental
disorders varies according to the nature of their disorder. Research that
compares function and psychosocial need in job-seekers with different mental
disorders, however, is scant especially in the Australian setting. Identifying
rehabilitation needs of job-seekers with mental disorders receiving employment
services is of interest to providers of disability employment services in
Australia. OBJECTIVE: This study sought to identify differences in
health, social needs and function in people with anxiety, mood, or psychotic
disorders accessing disability employment services to inform disability service
providers of vocational rehabilitation interventions. PARTICIPANTS: 106 adult job-seekers with anxiety (29%), mood (51%), and psychotic (20%)
disorders receiving job placement services from a disability employment service
provider consented to participate in this study. METHODS: Self-report measures and the Executive Interview (EXIT) were used to document function.
Differences between disorders were determined using one-way analysis of
variance. RESULTS: Significantly better estimates of social functioning
as measured by the Behaviour and Symptom Identification Scale (BASIS-32) were
reported by job-seekers with psychotic disorders compared to those with anxiety
or mood disorders. However, job-seekers with psychotic disorders reported
longer periods of unemployment compared to those with mood disorders and longer
estimates of the time it would take to obtain work compared to both the other
groups. CONCLUSIONS: Perceived psychosocial problems, such as poor social
function in job-seekers with anxiety and mood disorders and perceptions of poor
employability in those with psychotic disorders, should be considered when
developing vocational rehabilitation interventions, or where additional support
may be required once employment is obtained.
