A014 specifics of young adults with psychological disabilities in occupational rehabilitation

1. Specifics of young adults with psychological
disabilities in occupational rehabilitation
RI World Congress 2016
Session “Inclusive societies”
Edinburgh, 26 October 2016
Silke Tophoven
Nancy Reims
Anita Tisch

2. Occupational Rehabiliation for young adults with
disabilities to obtain first labour market integration
In Germany, occupational rehabilitation helps people with
disabilities to return to work. Furthermore, it helps young adults
with disabilities to obtain a first labor market integration.
The group of these young adults often have learning disabilities
(50%). In recent years, a growing number of people with
psychological disabilities can be observed (20%).
The transition from youth to adulthood contains several challenges.
For vulnerable groups the challenges are even bigger, e.g. for
adolescents with disabilities.
The purpose of this study is to describe the specifics of young
adults with psychological disabilities in occupational rehabilitation
and the obstacles they have to overcome during their transition
process from school to work.
Specifics of young adults with psychological disabilities in occupational rehabilitation 2

3. Young adults with psychologcial disabilites/diseases
 Psychological disabilities/diseases are a complex phenomenon
 ‘Psychological disorders’ cover a wide range of diseases, such
as for example schizophrenia, neurotic disorders, depression or
addiction
 With regard to first labor market integration, the episodic and
persistent courses of most psychological diseases challenge
affected persons as well as other involved parties
Specifics of young adults with psychological disabilities in occupational rehabilitation 3

4. Data and Methods
Mixed-methods approach:
Administrative data of the German Federal Employment Agency:
Representative information on all people starting occupational
rehabilitation between 2007 and 2014
16 in-depth interviews with young adults in occupational
rehabilitation: Allows for a description of their specific life context
and their occupational rehabilitation process from an individual
perspective
Specifics of young adults with psychological disabilities in occupational rehabilitation 4

5. Results: Young people with psychological disabilites
in comparison to the total population
Specifics of young adults with psychological disabilities in occupational rehabilitation 5
With psychological
disability
(n = 8,577)
Total population
(n = 40,814)
Sex: Male 61% 60%
Female 39% 40%
Age: under the age of 17 10% 20%
17 to 20 42% 56%
21 to 24 29% 16%
25 and older 19% 7%
Educational level:
no school leaving certificate 14% 15%
graduation from special school 6% 29%
lower secondary school certificate 44% 40%
higher secondary school certificate 25% 11%
university entrance qualification 9% 3%
no information 2% 2%
older
higher
educational
level

6. Results: Status before occupational rehabilitation
Specifics of young adults with psychological disabilities in occupational rehabilitation 6
3 76 6
21
35
20
31
50
21
0
20
40
60
80
100
all (n=40,814) rehabilitants with psychological
disabilities (n=8,577)
in%
other Employment
Unemployment Career counseling and orientation
School
less often
directly from
school

7. Results: Transition into occupational rehabilitation
Specifics of young adults with psychological disabilities in occupational rehabilitation 7
The rehabilitands reflect the beginning of their disease, possible
causes and the course of their diseases:
With the beginning of a psychological disease, they often associate
perceived overload as well as unsuccessful attempts to find
vocational training or employment, critical family situations or typical
problems during puberty.
They experience long periods of illness and recovery after school or
already during schooling.

8. Results: Transition into occupational rehabilitation
Specifics of young adults with psychological disabilities in occupational rehabilitation 8
„I tried to find a vocational training place and that did not work and
at the end of schooling I had exam nerves and such things… and
then I developed social phobia… actually I did nothing at all for
about four years [in terms of vocational training] as I was in
therapy“ (EEG_M_2014_II, male, 24 years old)
„I quit school during the twelfth grade as I was absent too long. I
attempt suicide and came into a psychiatric hospital. … Afterwards
I came into a girl‘s living community with therapeutically support
and therapy for two years.“ (EEG_E_2015, female, 24 years old)

9. Results: Vocational training as key element of
occupational rehabilitation
Specifics of young adults with psychological disabilities in occupational rehabilitation 9
 Almost 40 percent of young people with psychological disabilities
visit vocational training programs during occupational
rehabilitation.
 Most young rehabilitants participate in integrative or cooperative
vocational training measures, thus within vocational training
centers (70%); especially those with psychological disabilities
(76%)
 Less young rehabilitants attain regular vocational training within a
company (30%); among those with psychological disabilities 24%

10. Results: Vocational training as key element of
occupational rehabilitation
Specifics of young adults with psychological disabilities in occupational rehabilitation 10
 Almost 40 percent of young people with psychological disabilities
visit vocational training programs during occupational
rehabilitation.
 Most young rehabilitants participate in integrative or cooperative
vocational training measures, thus within vocational training
centers (70%); especially those with psychological disabilities
(76%).
 Less young rehabilitants attain regular vocational training within a
company (30%); among those with psychological disabilities 24%.

11. Results: Vocational training as key element of
occupational rehabilitation
Specifics of young adults with psychological disabilities in occupational rehabilitation 11
„Completing vocational training on the first labour market would
possibly not be successful. … I would fail again. … I am not
completely fit. … I would like to complete this vocational training
[within the vocational training center]. (EEG_L_2015_IV, male, 25
years old)

12. Summary
In comparison with the population of occupational rehabilitants
in general, persons with psychological disabilities are older and
have a higher educational level.
They more often show disrupted paths after school caused by
long time of illness and/or therapy and follow less
institutionalised pathways into occupational rehabilitation.
The biographical in-depth interviews show that the stabilization
of their psychological diseases are essential before the process
of occupational rehabilitation and occupational orientation.
For young adults, completing vocational training is a key
element within the process of occupational rehabilitation.
Specifics of young adults with psychological disabilities in occupational rehabilitation 12

13. Conclusions
The growing number of young adults with psychological
disabilities challenges the German occupational rehabilitation
system.
Ongoing support as well as a good transition management
seems to be central for the group of young adults with
psychological disabilities.
In addition, another challenge is to not only design the
educational system but also the occupational rehabilitation
process in a more inclusive manner.
Specifics of young adults with psychological disabilities in occupational rehabilitation 13

14. www.iab.de
Contact
Silke Tophoven
Institute for Employment Research
silke.tophoven@iab.de
Funding
The project is financed by the German Federal Ministry of
Labour and Social Affairs.
Thank you for your attention!