The Role of Work in Psychiatric Rehabilitation: A Review of the Literature

Abstract

During the last few decades, there has been increasing emphasis on the social element of the treatment of chronic psychiatric patients. This has led to the development of mental health services in the community, outside the traditional psychiatric hospital. Rehabilitation services, in particular, have played a major role in the return of part of the long-stay psychiatric population to the community and in the prevention of social disablement. Most approaches of psychiatric rehabilitation are based on the components of occupational rehabilitation and residential care. This article attempts to review the major studies and models of vocational rehabilitation and to evaluate the role of work in the rehabilitation process. The basic principles and stages of rehabilitation are also briefly discussed.