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The experience of obtaining and retaining work from the perspective of individuals with schizophrenia : a phenomenological study

University of British Columbia

The purpose of this study was to describe the experience of obtaining and retaining work from the perspective of individuals with schizophrenia. A phenomenological approach was used to guide the study. Data were collected through 17 semi-structured, audiotaped interviews with 6 men and 4 women who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia. Analysis occurred concurrently with the data collection. Participants' accounts included descriptions of being ill, being diagnosed with schizophrenia, looking for work, working day to day, working throughout the course of illness, responding emotionally to the work experience, finding meaning in work, and coping with work and illness by controlling certain factors, using supports, selecting suitable work conditions and maintaining optimism. An overview of these experiences revealed three common threads; the individual, society and long-term illness. Viewing the participants' experience within the framework of the individual, social and long-term illness contexts provides direction for nurses and other health professionals as they provide employment guidance for people with schizophrenia.

Text

2010-11-02

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/29742

Nursing

University of British Columbia

Graduate