Psychotherapeutic and vocational interventions among young adults with work disability due to mental disorders in Finland

Scand J Occup Ther. 2018 May;25(3):213-222. doi: 10.1080/11038128.2017.1375008. Epub 2017 Sep 7.

Abstract

Backround: Little is known about treatment and rehabilitation received and planned among young adults with work disability due to a mental disorder.

Aims: To examine the implemented psychotherapeutic and vocational interventions and treatment plans among young adults with work disability due to a mental disorder.

Material and methods: Data were collected from medical records of young Finnish adults aged 18-34 with a long-term work disability history due to a mental disorder (N = 1163). The participant characteristics associated with four types of interventions were analyzed using log-binomial regression analysis.

Results: In total, 34% had participated in a psychotherapeutic intervention. Of the non-students, 26% had participated in vocational intervention. For 46% of the non-students, neither type of intervention was planned. Both implemented and planned psychotherapeutic interventions were associated with female sex, high education, attachment to employment, and absence of substance abuse. Low education and childhood adversity were associated with implemented vocational interventions and absence of substance abuse with planned vocational interventions.

Conclusion and significance: There is an unmet need for psychotherapeutic interventions among men, among those with lower socio-economic status, and among those with poor attachment to labor market. In addition, there is a lack of vocational interventions for those with high education. People with substance abuse are largely excluded from both types of interventions.

Keywords: Occupational; pension; psychotherapy; rehabilitation; treatment.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Disabled Persons / rehabilitation*
  • Female
  • Finland
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / psychology
  • Mental Disorders / rehabilitation*
  • Rehabilitation, Vocational / psychology*
  • Sex Factors
  • Young Adult