Psychopathology, parent relations, and careers in vocational training: a prospective study

Twenty substance-abusing male clients, representative of the clients participating in a vocational training program in Oslo, were followed prospectively during 2-3 years. Forty-two percent of the nonpsychotic clients completed the training program as opposed to 25% in the psychotic/near psychotic group. All dropouts reported a feeling of being rejected by their fathers as opposed to 28% of the clients who completed the program (p less than .001). The study indicates the need for an evaluation of psychopathology and parent relationships before entering a vocational training program and development of a more differentiated training model.