VOCATIONAL-REHABILITATION OF THE MENTALLY-ILL - RESULTS OF A STUDY IN WORKSHOPS FOR THE HANDICAPPED

The situation of persons with mental illness, who, work in workshops for the handicapped, and the problems they have to deal with, are discussed. Concepts of the psychology of work, which nearly have not been recognized in the field of vocational rehabilitation are described. In a study in several workshops the relationship between job conditions and social support at the workplace and the personnel development of the mentally ill was investigated. The results show that above all the perceived job characteristics as well as social support are important for a positive development of the personality - both at the workplace and during leisure time.