There is fair evidence (level 2b) that a 10-week work-related social skills training for people with chronic schizophrenia, with three month follow-up support, increases their ability to gain and retain employment by 44%, when compared to controls

Prepared by:

Marika Beaudet (email address: mik_surf@yahoo.com.au)
4th year undergraduate occupational therapy student,
University of Western Sydney

Date:

24 May 2004

Review Date:

May 2006

Clinical Question:

Does a vocational social skills training, compared to standard training for people with chronic schizophrenia improve their chances of gaining and retaining employment?

Clinical Scenario:

The ability to find and keep a steady job requires good social skills. Being unemployed for a long period of time can have negative effects on a person’s self image. People with schizophrenia experience significant difficulties in securing and keeping a job as they lack essential social skills to cope with a multitude of work related situations. Does a vocational social skills training program improve the ability for people with schizophrenia to find and keep a job?

Clinical Bottom Line:

People with schizophrenia who participate in a 10 week work-related social skills training program with three months follow-up support have a 44% higher employment rate than those people with schizophrenia who did not receive the training.

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