"Out of the game" - The vocational situation of chronic schizophrenic individuals in the New German Lander

Purpose: This study is based of the documentation of drastic changes in the vocational life of chronically schizophrenic individuals in the New German Lander. With the political and economic transition since 1989, the Employm ent rate of those suffering from chronic schizophrenia dropped from 50% to 7%. Currently most of them receive a disability pension. Method: Using a qu alitative study design, we addressed the question as to what extent the dis ability pension can substitute for occupation of those in question. 45 chro nically schizophenic patients who are currently in outpatient treatment wer e interviewed to understand the role of work and disability pension in thei r lives. Results: Positive and negative aspects of work and disability pens ion and their interaction as seen by the participants in our study are desc ribed. In a life of discontinuity disability pension offers a security whic h most of our interviewees would not like to give up. Other needs, however, especially the need for social integration, are not met by disability pens ion. A part-time job beyond sheltered facilities would offer them the possi bility to benefit from the positive psyche-social function of work without challenging their security. Implications far vocational rehabilitation are discussed.