While considerable research has been conducted on employment of people with serious mental illness (SMI), there is a dearth of research in this area focused on the work experiences of women with SMI.
OBJECTIVE:
This article fills a gap in the research by presenting the results from a study exploring the work experiences of women with SMI.
METHODS:
Grounded theory methodology was used to analyze the qualitative data. Several qualitative validity strategies were employed to enhance data quality.
RESULTS:
Six themes relating to work emerged from analysis of the qualitative data: (1) work drain; (2) symptom visibility; (3) work disclosure; (4) inconsistent work; (5) nontraditional work; and (6) work assets.
CONCLUSIONS:
Vocational rehabilitation practitioners can tailor rehabilitation plans to support the unique needs of women with SMI and leverage their strengths to help them gain greater satisfaction and meaning from work.
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