The strength of self-reported course of illness in predicting vocational recovery for persons with schizophrenia

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.