Open AccessWork Experiences of People with Mental Illness in Malaysia: A Preliminary Qualitative Study
Author(s) -
Su-Lyn Boo,
Jaymee Loong,
Wai-Sheng Ng
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the qualitative report
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2160-3715
DOI - 10.46743/2160-3715/2011.1044
Subject(s) - qualitative research , mental illness , psychology , perception , mentally ill , locus of control , clinical psychology , mental health , developmental psychology , psychiatry , sociology , social science , neuroscience
This is a preliminary qualitative study, using a basic interpretive approach, to investigate the work experiences of people with mental illness in Malaysia. Six females and four males (aged 30-70) from a residential home for the mentally ill participated in semi-structured interviews. Three inter-relating themes emerged, namely the experience of self at work, perception of work, and experience of others at work. All participants reported problems in either work or family relationships; most of which interfered with their work. In addition, findings suggest that the participants' self experience may be related to the extent of one's illness integration, experience of psychosis, attitude towards illness, locus of control, and self-efficacy. Limitations and implications of the study are also discussed.