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Work identity development in young adults with mental health problems

Liljeholm, Ulrika LU orcid and Bejerholm, Ulrika LU (2019) In Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy 27(6). p.431-440
Abstract

Background: How we identify ourselves is strongly related to employment. Young adults are a vulnerable group with regard to entering the Labor market. If they also have mental health problems, entering becomes more difficult and increases risk of early marginalization. Nevertheless, working can be essential for personal recovery process. Aims: To explore experiences of young adults with mental health problems who are starting to work, with a focus on the process of developing work identity. Methods: Grounded theory design was used. The data collection consisted of 13 in-depth interviews with young adults with mental health problems aged 19–26 years, who had worked for at least three months. Results: The experience of starting to work... (More)

Background: How we identify ourselves is strongly related to employment. Young adults are a vulnerable group with regard to entering the Labor market. If they also have mental health problems, entering becomes more difficult and increases risk of early marginalization. Nevertheless, working can be essential for personal recovery process. Aims: To explore experiences of young adults with mental health problems who are starting to work, with a focus on the process of developing work identity. Methods: Grounded theory design was used. The data collection consisted of 13 in-depth interviews with young adults with mental health problems aged 19–26 years, who had worked for at least three months. Results: The experience of starting to work contributed to a process of internal and external change, new feelings, challenges, and understanding of the surrounding world. Former negative thought patterns became more positive. New roles and occupational patterns were developed and altered views on abilities, and thus self-efficacy. This development contributed to a work identity, and new directions in life. Conclusions: There is therapeutic potential in supporting work identity development, and this support can empower the personal recovery process for young adults.

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author
and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Mental disorders, mental health recovery, social identification, vocational rehabilitation, work
in
Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy
volume
27
issue
6
pages
10 pages
publisher
Taylor & Francis
external identifiers
  • pmid:31298964
  • scopus:85068938103
ISSN
1103-8128
DOI
10.1080/11038128.2019.1609084
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
bb1b1bd2-6bdc-4e1b-870f-ae72800691d7
date added to LUP
2019-07-24 12:32:25
date last changed
2024-04-16 17:18:34
@article{bb1b1bd2-6bdc-4e1b-870f-ae72800691d7,
  abstract     = {{<p>Background: How we identify ourselves is strongly related to employment. Young adults are a vulnerable group with regard to entering the Labor market. If they also have mental health problems, entering becomes more difficult and increases risk of early marginalization. Nevertheless, working can be essential for personal recovery process. Aims: To explore experiences of young adults with mental health problems who are starting to work, with a focus on the process of developing work identity. Methods: Grounded theory design was used. The data collection consisted of 13 in-depth interviews with young adults with mental health problems aged 19–26 years, who had worked for at least three months. Results: The experience of starting to work contributed to a process of internal and external change, new feelings, challenges, and understanding of the surrounding world. Former negative thought patterns became more positive. New roles and occupational patterns were developed and altered views on abilities, and thus self-efficacy. This development contributed to a work identity, and new directions in life. Conclusions: There is therapeutic potential in supporting work identity development, and this support can empower the personal recovery process for young adults.</p>}},
  author       = {{Liljeholm, Ulrika and Bejerholm, Ulrika}},
  issn         = {{1103-8128}},
  keywords     = {{Mental disorders; mental health recovery; social identification; vocational rehabilitation; work}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{07}},
  number       = {{6}},
  pages        = {{431--440}},
  publisher    = {{Taylor & Francis}},
  series       = {{Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy}},
  title        = {{Work identity development in young adults with mental health problems}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/11038128.2019.1609084}},
  doi          = {{10.1080/11038128.2019.1609084}},
  volume       = {{27}},
  year         = {{2019}},
}