Objective: This cross-sectional study aimed at investigating the relationship between the return to work potential, according to the Worker Role Interview (WRI) assessment, and clinical characteristics and level of empowerment and occupational engagement among persons with severe mental illness who express their own interest in working.
Methods: 120 participants entered the study. The WRI, the Brief Psychiatric and Rating Scale, a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Empowerment Scale, and the Profiles of Occupational Engagement in Severe mental illness were used for data collection. Correlation and regression analyses were used for statistics.
Results: The return to work potential was significantly associated with having fewer symptoms, rehabilitation support or productive activities, and higher levels of engagement and empowerment. A younger age had an inverse relation to the lifestyle component in WRI. Depressive symptoms and occupational engagement explained 42% of the variance.
Conclusions: The findings support the use of an empowerment approach, taking into account the clients' symptoms, age, and time use. In addition, involvement in vocational support and productive activities may be advantageous early on in the recovery process.
Keywords: Empowerment; mental health; occupational engagement; occupational therapy; vocational rehabilitation.