[A report on the effect of sheltered workshop activities on the social living activity of the mentally ill--analysis of research on workshop clients].

The effect of sheltered workshop activities on the social living activity of the mentally ill was studied in order to evaluate the role and level of function of workshop activities as a self support and employment system for clients, and to determine the future tasks of the workshop and rehabilitative services in the community. The following results were observed: 1) Clients' social living ability appears to be poor, especially in questions related to personal relationships and time distribution, where less than 50% of the clients answered "Possible without assistance". This appears to be characteristics of the living behaviors of mentally ill individuals. 2) Most of the families of the clients evaluated the sheltered workshop activities positively in terms of increasing the clients' social living ability. 3) A survey of families showed that by utilizing the workshop much progress has been made toward improving those living behaviors which are easily made into habits and lifestyle pattern. On the other hand, personal relationships and living behaviors which require coping flexibility, are much more refactory. Based on those results, the future task of sheltered workshops and the supportive role of the public health center need to be examined further.