Factors discriminating employment status following in-patient evaluation among persons with schizophrenia

BACKGROUND: Employment is a key element in recovery from schizophrenia. Yet 60%-80% of people with schizophrenia are not involved in work occupations. Factors influencing employment were explored mostly in community settings, while the recovery process begins already during hospitalization. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate parameters that can distinguish during hospitalization between people with schizophrenia who will work in competitive employment, in sheltered employment or will not work after discharge. METHODS: The research followed 104 participants from acute hospitalization to the community, six months after discharge, to obtain employment related data. The participants' cognitive abilities, schizophrenia symptoms, and functional capacity were evaluated during hospitalization. In addition, demography and illness related factors were collected. RESULTS: The results indicate that persons with different employment statuses varied in several parameters during hospitalization. However, the most effective discriminant model includes negative symptoms, functional capacity measure and the number of hospitalizations. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that people with different employment statuses have unique characteristics already during hospitalization. In the future, appropriate rehabilitation programs may be suggested to each group based on these characteristics to promote employment among people with schizophrenia and contribute to recovery.