Affiliations: [a]
VISN 1 New England Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA, USA
| [b]
Boston University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Boston, MA, USA
| [c]
University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
Correspondence:
[*]
Address for correspondence: Brian Stevenson, MIRECC Program (116A), VA Bedford Medical Center, 200 Springs Road, Bedford, MA 01730, USA. Tel.: +1 781 687 3919; E-mail: Brian.Stevenson4@VA.gov.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:No studies have examined vocational identity among individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. OBJECTIVE:Influenced by Blustein’s relational theory of working (2011), this study examined the relationships between several social-environmental variables (external/relational conflicts, employment barriers, substance abuse stigma) and vocational identity. METHODS:Eighty-four veterans receiving treatment from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) for co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders participated in this survey study. RESULTS:Education, employment, clinical, disability, and substance abuse factors were not associated with vocational identity, but external/relational conflicts, employment barriers, and substance abuse stigma were. Multiple regression analysis found that these variables accounted for 34%of the variance in vocational identity and that external/relational conflicts was the only significant predictor. CONCLUSIONS:Findings suggest that more conflictual messages about work from external/relational sources is related to less clarity around one’s vocational interests, goals, and talents.
Keywords: Veterans, disability, vocational identity, mental health, substance use
