The experiences and perceptions of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia regarding the challenges they experience to employment and coping strategies used in the open labor market in Cape Town, South Africa.

BACKGROUND

There is limited research available regarding the coping skills of individuals living with schizophrenia and the strategies used in the open labor market, particularly from a South African context.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to explore and describe the barriers, facilitators and coping strategies that individuals with schizophrenia use when returning to the open labor market after participating in a vocational rehabilitation program to improve work skills.

PARTICIPANTS

Four individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia and two key informants (occupational therapists) participated in the study.

METHODS

The research study was positioned within the interpretive paradigm, specifically utilizing an exploratory and descriptive design. Semi-structured interviews were used in order to gather data from the participants.

RESULTS

Theme one reflects the barriers related to returning to work (i.e. society's acceptance of an individual's work potential). The second theme relates to the enabling factors related to returning to work (i.e. the usefulness of work preparation programs to enhance open labor market employability). Theme three relates to the coping skills that individuals with schizophrenia utilize (i.e. holistic support enhances participation in the worker role).

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the findings indicate individuals with schizophrenia experience barriers that prevent them from being able to adapt to their work environments. However, with the support of the occupational therapist, family, and employer, together with improvements to the vocational rehabilitation program, these barriers may be alleviated, and there could be an improvement in the reintegration of individuals with schizophrenia into the open labor market. The findings suggest that the disclosure of an individual's medical diagnosis, in order to facilitate the return to work of an individual diagnosed with schizophrenia, could be viewed as a barrier and a facilitator.