Hope, adaptability, and job-search intensity among individuals living with serious mental illness

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Increased intensity in job-search behavior is associated with important employment outcomes like job attainment. There is evidence that work hope, and career adaptability are important antecedents of higher job-search intensity. However, there is no evidence that these relationships exist among individuals living with serious mental illness. OBJECTIVE: This study seeks to improve our understanding of factors that contribute to job-search intensity among individuals living with serious mental illness. METHODS: Eighty-five individuals living with serious mental illness completed surveys of demographics, work hope, career adaptability, and job-search intensity. Correlational and regression analysis was used to examine the primary relationships in this study. RESULTS: Education level, employment status, and use of vocational rehabilitation services were background factors related to job-search intensity. Controlling for background factors, regression analysis found that work hope positively predicted job-search intensity, and career adaptability negatively predicted job-search intensity. Our model explained 35%of the variance in job-search intensity. Additionally, individuals who were employed had significantly higher career adaptability than individuals who were unemployed. CONCLUSIONS: Work hope and career adaptability are related to important vocational outcomes among individuals living with serious mental illness.