Affiliations: The Queensland Centre for Schizophrenia Research
(QCSR), The Park, Wacol, QLD 4076, Australia. Tel.: +61 07 3271 8660; Fax: +61
07 3271 8698; E-mail: geoffw@wph.uq.edu.au
Note: [] Corresponding author
Abstract: Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether
self-reported course of illness predicts vocational recovery in a
representative sample of persons with DSM-III-R diagnosed schizophrenia after
adjusting for 13 clinical, and 8 non-clinical predictors chosen on the basis of
a recent literature review. Design: Data from the National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing
in Australia (a survey of people living with psychotic illness) 1997–1998
were analyzed. Participants (n = 380) were characterized by a diagnosis of
schizophrenia, outpatient or short-stay inpatient status, known educational
attainment, and an employed or unemployed status at the time of interview. Results: Self-reported course of illness emerged as a practical and
low cost predictor of vocational recovery. In contrast to previous controlled
studies in the United States, educational attainment and age contributed to
predicting vocational recovery in Australia. Conclusions: More severe courses of illness, disrupted education,
and age exceeding 44 years, suggest more intensive forms of vocational
assistance may be required. Although promising, further work is needed to
validate the potential utility of self-reported course of illness in vocational
studies.
Keywords: vocational recovery, schizophrenia, employment outcomes, self-reported course of illness
