An Analysis on Occupational Attainment Process for People with Psychiatric Disabilities

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to investigate the occupational attainment process of a sample of psychiatrically disabled individuals who have been active members of the labor force for most of their adult lives. For the purposes, this study examines a rarely studied cohort of persons with psychiatric disability in the labor market. Specifically, this study examined whether the status attainment process, namely family of origin’s influence and early educational attainment, decays less for those with mental health problems than for those without disabilities? The major finding of this study is the status attainment process is proceeding in a similar way between person with psychiatric disabilities and person without psychiatric disabilities. The results of the study dispute some biases and prejudices with regard to people with psychiatric disabilities. Specifically, the results show that many people with substantial psychiatric problem in the labor force have the similar process with regards to their occupational attainment process and social mobility process.