Influence of Social Support and Work Meaning on Mental Health in Adults Experiencing Mental Illness
Date
2020-01
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Abstract
Mental illness is a growing public health concern that has been exasperated by the covid-19 pandemic (OECD, 2021). Keyes’ two continua model of mental health conceptualizes the relationship between mental health and mental illness as two separate continuums that intersect with one another. While the two terms are related, they are not analogous and it is possible for someone experiencing mental illness to experience good mental health. Grounded in the two continua model of mental health, the current study posited perceived social support and meaningful work would account for a significant amount of variance in the mental health of those living with mental illness. Participants included 125 working adults (18 – 56 years) who were experiencing mental illness at the time of the study. Participants completed a series of self-report surveys measuring meaningful work, social support and mental health. After controlling for age, gender, and relationship status, hierarchical multiple regressions revealed social support and meaningful work each accounted for a significant amount of unique variance to mental health in adults. These results highlight the importance of incorporating meaningful work and social support into counselling psychology practice, specifically with clients experiencing mental illness, as a potential way to improve mental health.
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Mental Illness, Mental Disorders, Employment, Career Development, Work Meaning, Meaningful Work, Social Support, Counselling, Psychology
Citation
Waldmann, K. (2022). Influence of social support and work meaning on mental health in adults experiencing mental illness (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.