Function in job seekers with mental illness and drug and alcohol problems who access community based disability employment services.
OBJECTIVE
This study identified functioning, health, and social needs in jobseekers with mental disorders independently assessed as having capacity to work and referred to disability employment services. Differences in function between jobseekers with mental illness alone and with additional drug and alcohol problems were examined with view to identifying interventions for vocational rehabilitation.


METHODS
A convenience sample of 116 jobseekers completed BASIS-32, CANSAS, AUDIT, DAST-10 and 6 items from the EXIT interview and were divided into two groups: mental illness only, and additional drug and alcohol issues (AUDIT total score >8 and/or DAST total score >3). Analysis of variance was used to determine group differences.


RESULTS
Jobseekers reported low-moderate problems with function. Over 40% of the sample reported unresolved psychological distress, physical health needs, and social/daytime activity needs. Thirty-five jobseekers (30%) had additional drug and alcohol problems and reported significantly greater difficulty with impulsive/addictive behavior and poorer memory and executive function than the mental illness only group. No significant differences were identified in past work functioning.


CONCLUSIONS
Screening all job seekers for psychological, physical, and social needs to identify suitable treatment and rehabilitation strategies and providing interventions that improve emotional regulation and executive function for job seekers with additional drug and alcohol problems may improve employability of job seekers accessing disability employment services.
Ageing, Work and Health Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Lynda R
LR
Matthews
Lynne M
LM
Harris
Alison
A
Jaworski
Ashraful
A
Alam
Gokcen
G
Bozdag
D000328:Adult; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult; D054311:nef Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
C465642:HIV Nef peptide (58-68); D010446:Peptide Fragments; D054311:nef Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus