Relating functional skills of severely mentally ill clients to subjective and societal benefits
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study explored the relationship between the functional skills of clients with severe mental disorder and the benefits to the client and society as reflected by residential and vocational status, self-efficacy, self-esteem, and life satisfaction. METHODS: Relationships between various outcome variables and the demographic and clinical characteristics and staff ratings of the functional skills of 139 clients at three psychosocial rehabilitation programs for adults with severe mental disorders were analyzed using correlational techniques. The outcome variables considered were the clients' level of independence in their residential and vocational settings and their levels of self-esteem, self-efficacy, and satisfaction with life. RESULTS: Ratings of functional skills correlated positively with clients' levels of residential and vocational independence and with self-efficacy, but were unrelated to self-esteem and life satisfaction. Age, education, work and hospitalization history, psychiatric diagnosis, and length of program membership were also related to these outcome measures. Skill level remained the strongest predictor of residential and vocational status after demographic and diagnostic factors were controlled for. CONCLUSIONS: Clients' functional skills have a strong, positive relationship with their level of residential and vocational independence, and skill level is a better predictor of benefits to clients and society than are demographic and diagnostic variables.
Access content
To read the fulltext, please use one of the options below to sign in or purchase access.- Personal login
- Institutional Login
- Sign in via OpenAthens
- Register for access
-
Please login/register if you wish to pair your device and check access availability.
Not a subscriber?
PsychiatryOnline subscription options offer access to the DSM-5 library, books, journals, CME, and patient resources. This all-in-one virtual library provides psychiatrists and mental health professionals with key resources for diagnosis, treatment, research, and professional development.
Need more help? PsychiatryOnline Customer Service may be reached by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-368-5777 (in the U.S.) or 703-907-7322 (outside the U.S.).