Addressing defeatist beliefs in work rehabilitation

J Ment Health. 2016 Aug;25(4):366-371. doi: 10.3109/09638237.2016.1139069. Epub 2016 Feb 1.

Abstract

Background: Adults with serious mental illness (SMI) may struggle with expectations of failure in vocational rehabilitation. These expectations can be global and trait-like or performance-specific and related to ability.

Aims: To date, it has not been examined whether global or performance-specific defeatist beliefs are related to functional outcomes.

Method: The Indianapolis Vocational Intervention Program (IVIP) is a CBT intervention used to address expectations of failure and improve work performance. We examined the relationships between defeatist beliefs, self-esteem, social functioning, and work behaviors in 54 adults with SMI who completed IVIP within a work therapy program.

Results: Baseline work-specific defeatist beliefs were related to baseline self-esteem, employment attitude, and work behaviors. Decline in work-specific defeatist beliefs was associated with better social functioning, self-esteem, and work behaviors. Decline in global defeatist beliefs was only associated with improvements in social functioning.

Conclusions: Performance-specific expectations about work may be an appropriate therapeutic target to enhance work outcome in SMI.

Keywords: Defeatist beliefs; schizophrenia; severe mental illness; vocational rehabilitation.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Employment / psychology*
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / psychology*
  • Mental Disorders / rehabilitation*
  • Rehabilitation, Vocational*
  • Self Concept
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Work / psychology*