Journal Article Details

Citation:
Stevenson, B.J., Millner, U.C., Satgunam, S.A., & Love, R. (2021). Hope, adaptability, and job-search intensity among individuals living with serious mental illness. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 55 (1), 73-79.
Title:
Hope, adaptability, and job-search intensity among individuals living with serious mental illness
Authors:
Stevenson, B.J., Millner, U.C., Satgunam, S.A., & Love, R.
Year:
2021
Journal/Publication: 
Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation
Publisher:
IOS Press
DOI:
Full text:
Peer-reviewed?
Yes
NIDILRR-funded? 
Yes

Structured abstract:

Background:
Increased intensity in job-search behavior is associated with important employment outcomes like job attainment. There is evidence that work hope, and career adaptability are important antecedents of higher job-search intensity. However, there is no evidence that these relationships exist among individuals living with serious mental illness.
Purpose:
This study seeks to improve our understanding of factors that contribute to job-search intensity among individuals living with serious mental illness.
Data collection & analysis:
Eighty-five individuals living with serious mental illness completed surveys of demographics, work hope, career adaptability, and job-search intensity. Correlational and regression analysis was used to examine the primary relationships in this study.
Findings:
Education level, employment status, and use of vocational rehabilitation services were background factors related to job-search intensity. Controlling for background factors, regression analysis found that work hope positively predicted job-search intensity, and career adaptability negatively predicted job-search intensity. Our model explained 35%of the variance in job-search intensity. Additionally, individuals who were employed had significantly higher career adaptability than individuals who were unemployed.
Conclusions:
Work hope and career adaptability are related to important vocational outcomes among individuals living with serious mental illness.
Disabilities served:
Alcohol and drug abuse
Anxiety disorder
Bi-polar
Chronic mental illness
Depression
Obsessive compulsive disorder
Personality disorders
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Schizophrenia
Interventions:
Vocational rehabilitation
Outcomes:
Employment acquisition
Full-time employment
Part-time employment