[Unemployment in psychiatric patients]

Occupational activity was studied in a representative sample of 450 patients from 5 in- and out-patient psychiatric institutions: among the patients of working age 16.5% were unemployed, 11.9% received social relief, and 13.9% were on a premature retirement pension, i.e. all in all 42.3% had to give up occupational activity prematurely. Only 30.1% were gainfully employed. An analysis of the results according to diagnosis showed particularly schizophrenic patients to be at a disadvantage (highest rate of premature retirement pensioners, lowest rate of employers), as well as alcoholics (highest rate of unemployment). The occupational situation of neurotic and psychosomatic patients was affected in a less degree. The data were compared to those of the general population. Psychiatric patients, we had to confirm, are particularly at a disadvantage when unemployment is generally high. Another important factor, however, seems to be that patients, their families, doctors and employers estimate capacity of performance on account of the specific illness, thus calling for intensified efforts toward rehabilitation.