Vocational rehabilitation outcomes for individuals with a history of substance abuse

Individuals with a history of substance abuse often experience unemployment. Work plays a key role in recovery, social connections, purpose, and life satisfaction. Vocational rehabilitation (VR) services can therefore be beneficial for these individuals. Using administrative data from VIRK, this study compared VR outcomes of clients with a recent history of substance abuse, occurring within the past six months, to clients with a more distant substance abuse history. The aim was to examine whether a recent history of substance abuse influenced positive outcomes (returning to work, starting school, or actively seeking employment) and to identify specific contributing factors. Data on 183 VR clients were collected via an intake questionnaire, of whom 66.7% (n = 122) had a recent history of substance abuse, and 33.3% had a distant substance abuse history (n = 61). Binomial logistic regression analysis revealed no significant difference in outcome between the groups. However, higher education levels, higher return-to-work expectancy, and more months spent in VR significantly increased the odds of positive outcomes. In contrast, longer sickness absence periods, older age and being married or cohabiting significantly decreased the odds. These results highlight the interplay of factors that contribute to positive outcomes. Keywords: Vocational rehabilitation, substance abuse, recovery, employment outcomes

Authors dc:creator

• Erna Benediktsdóttir 2002-
• Matthildur Emma Diegosdóttir 2000-

Contributors dc:contributor

• Háskólinn í Reykjavík

• Sálfræði
• Starfsendurhæfing
• Fíkn
• Psychology
• Vocational rehabilitation
• Substance abuse

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/1946/50554

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:skemman.is:1946/50554