Change in Work Performance in Vocational Rehabilitation for People with Severe Mental Illness: Distinct Responder Groups

Background: Vocational rehabilitation aims to improve work performance. Few studies have examined the course of work performance during vocational rehabilitation. It remains unclear whether all subjects profit equally from rehabilitation programs regarding improvement of work performance. Aims: The purpose of this study is to examine the course of work performance in order to differentiate between responder groups and to distinguish between those groups regarding sociodemographic status, psychiatric diagnosis, level of individual satisfaction and vocational rehabilitation success. Methods: Work performance of N = 125 subjects with severe mental disorders was rated on intake to the rehabilitation program and six months later with the German version of the Work Personality Profile (WPP). A cluster analysis was conducted to identify different responder groups. Results: Groups with poor, moderate, improving and superior work performance were identified. These groups differed in educational level, psychiatric diagnosis, individual satisfaction and rehabilitation outcome. Conclusion: Not all subjects profit equally from vocational rehabilitation in terms of improvement of work performance. Unfavorable courses of work skills were shown for participants with schizophrenia and low education. Low individual satisfaction with performance is related to consistently low or moderate performance. Group differences predicted reintegration success. Future research should focus on different responder groups and their identification in early stages of the rehabilitation process to ensure appropriate assistance, particularly for subjects with poorer performance.