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The application of human capital theory in vocational rehabilitation for individuals with mental illness
Journal article   Peer reviewed

The application of human capital theory in vocational rehabilitation for individuals with mental illness

Ni Gao, Kenneth Gill, Lisa Schmidt and Carlos Pratt
Journal of vocational rehabilitation, v 32(1), pp 25-33
01 Jan 2010

Abstract

Life Sciences & Biomedicine Rehabilitation Science & Technology
Human Capital Theory posits that investment in education and job training increase employability among the general labor force. This study examined the applicability of Human Capital Theory to an explanation of employment outcomes of individuals with psychiatric illness. The employment rates of participants with mental illness and participants with equivalent human capital but not disability were compared. The study also explored whether human capital variables predicted employability. The study found that participants with mental illness achieved similar re-employment rates within six-months of becoming unemployed when compared to their counterparts with no reported disability. Additionally, later onset of mental illness predicted higher employment rates. Severity of psychiatric symptoms was not predictive of employment rates. These findings suggest that human capital variables are correlated with employment outcomes among persons with mental illness. They also suggest that assisting mental health consumers in the pursuit of education and job training may improve their employability which can lead to financial independence and community integration. The findings also support the development and implementation of Supported Education to assist consumers to succeed in education and job training.

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Rehabilitation
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