Job tenure and quality of work life of people with psychiatric disabilities working in social enterprises

Abstract

Psychiatric disabilities may impact employment outcomes, particularly job tenure. However, little is known about the role of quality of work life (QWL) on an individual's ability to maintain his/her employment, particularly in the context of social enterprises. This study examines the impact of QWL on maintaining employment for people with psychiatric disabilities working in social enterprises. A prospective study was undertaken with 67 persons with psychiatric disabilities working in social enterprises. Participants were asked to fill out a battery of questionnaires that assessed QWL, self-esteem as a worker, job satisfaction, severity of symptoms, and general quality of life. Directors of human resources were contacted at six-month follow-up in order to obtain information regarding job tenure. Survival analysis was conducted using Kaplan-Meier curve and Cox regression to assess the risk of job termination and identify predictors. Eighty-nine percent (N = 60) of participants maintained their job during the follow-up period. Cox regression showed that individuals who have a higher QWL have a diminished risk of employment termination. This study demonstrated the important role that QWL may have on job tenure for people with psychiatric disabilities working in social enterprises. Interventions aimed at improving QWL should be offered to increase job tenure.