Perspectives on paid work among men and women with schizophrenia: The results of a two study comparison in Ireland

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Turner, Niall^{a; *} | Ferguson, Lisa^a | Hill, Michele^a | Nesbitt, Tara^b | O’Callaghan, Eadbhard^{a; c; 1} | O’Mahony, Paul^{d; 2} | Clarke, Mary^{a; c}

Affiliations: [a] DETECT Early Intervention in Psychosis Service, Dublin, Ireland | [b] St John of Gods Community Mental Health Services, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland | [c] School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland | [d] School of Occupational Therapy, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Niall Turner, St John of Gods Community Services clg, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Tel.: +353 866824479; E-mail: niall.turner@gmail.com.

Note: [1] Deceased 2 May 2011

Note: [2] Deceased 11 November 2015

Abstract: BACKGROUND:While research indicates that people with serious mental health conditions want to work, few studies have examined motivation and concerns associated with employment. OBJECTIVES:This study examined the work attitudes among two samples of Irish people with psychotic conditions, primarily schizophrenia. METHODS:Data gathered through two work related research projects was used. A self-report instrument, the work motivation scale (WMS), gathered data in two separate studies. It was possible to examine participants’ motives and concerns due to the two factor structure, positive and negative, of this scale. Descriptive statistical analysis was conducted for each of the two samples individually. A sub-analysis by gender was also conducted. RESULTS:Across the two samples, analysis showed the consistent motivators were increased coping ability, improved self-identity, and enhanced self-worth. Men particularly wanted others to see them as good workers. On the other hand, women regarded a job as a means to forget about having a mental illness. A sizeable minority in both samples expressed apprehensions such as work being boring and an expectation from others that they should work rather than them being personally motivated to do so. CONCLUSIONS:While caution must be exercised in interpreting the results due to the small sample size, this study has extended our understanding in this under-researched but important topic.

Keywords: Work motivation scale, psychosis, men’s attitudes to work, women’s attitude to work, mental illness, employment, schizophrenia

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203300

Journal: Work, vol. 67, no. 2, pp. 507-515, 2020