Schizophrenia and work: aspects related to job acquisition in a follow-up study

Objective: Work is considered one of the main forms of social organizationhowever, few individuals with schizophrenia find work opportunities. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between schizophrenia symptoms and job acquisition. Method: Fifty-three individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia from an outpatient treatment facility were included in an 18-month follow-up study. After enrollment, they participated in a prevocational training group. At the end of training (baseline) and 18 months later, sociodemographic, clinical data and occupational history were collected. Positive and negative symptoms (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale - PANSS), depression (Calgary Depression Scale), disease severity (Clinical Global Impression - CGI), functionality (Global Assessment of Functioning - GAF), personal and social performance (Personal and Social Performance - PSP) and cognitive functions (Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia - MATRICS battery) were applied at baseline and at the end of the study. Results: Those with some previous work experience (n = 19) presented lower scores on the PANSS, Calgary, GAF, CGI and PSP scales (p < 0.05) than those who did not work. Among those who worked, there was a slight worsening in positive symptoms (positive PANSS). Conclusions: Individuals with less severe symptoms were more able to find employment. Positive symptom changes do not seem to affect participation at workhowever, this calls for discussion about the importance of employment support.Programa de Esquizofrenia (PROESQ)Centro de Atencao Integrada a Saude Mental (CAISM)Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP) [2011/50740-5]Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES)FAPESPConselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq)CAPESUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Psiquiatria, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Carlos UFSCar, Dept Med, Sao Carlos, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Carlos, Dept Terapia Ocupac, Sao Carlos, SP, BrazilFac Ciencias Med Santa Casa Sao Paulo, Dept Psiquiatria, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Psiquiatria, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilFAPESP [2011/50740-5]Web of Scienc