Cognitive and clinical predictors of success in vocational rehabilitation in schizophrenia

Jovier D. Evans, Gary R. Bond, Piper S. Meyer, Hea Won Kim, Paul H. Lysaker, P. Joseph Gibson, Sandra Tunis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

147 Scopus citations

Abstract

Cognitive impairments in schizophrenia appear to be associated with social problem solving, social and vocational functioning, and psychosocial skill acquisition. The present study examined the relationship of cognitive functioning, as well as clinical symptoms, to vocational outcomes among individuals with schizophrenia. One hundred and twelve participants with DSM-IV schizophrenia spectrum diagnoses underwent a comprehensive neuropsychiatric evaluation after enrolling in one of several employment programs. The neuropsychological evaluation examined verbal learning and memory, attention, speed of information processing, and executive functioning. Clinical symptoms were evaluated with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Vocational outcomes were assessed 4 months after baseline assessment and included both measures of employment outcome (e.g., earnings) and of work performance as assessed by the Work Behavior Inventory (WBI). Negative symptoms, learning and memory performance, processing speed, and executive functioning were related to hours, weeks, and wages earned on the job. Stepwise multiple regression analyses found that among baseline clinical and cognitive predictors, only verbal learning and memory and cognitive disorganization symptoms were significant predictors of work behaviors 4 months later. Learning and memory were the only significant predictors of integrated employment at 4 months. These results suggest specific aspects of cognition may be modestly predictive of vocational outcomes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)331-342
Number of pages12
JournalSchizophrenia Research
Volume70
Issue number2-3
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1 2004
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This work was supported by a grant from Eli Lilly and Company Pharmaceuticals. A preliminary version of this research was presented at the 2002 Annual Meeting of the International Neuropsychological Society (Toronto, Canada). The authors wish to acknowledge the contributions of Marc Lauritano and Alan McGuire for their assistance with coding employment data, in addition to the numerous research assistants for their efforts in collection of the data for this study.

Keywords

  • Neuropsychology
  • Schizophrenia
  • Symptoms
  • Vocational outcomes

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