Omissions in assessment of work roles: implications for evaluating social functioning and mental illness

Depression, Disability, and Rehabilitation Services for Women

The purpose of this paper is to review scientific evidence for the co-occurrence of major depressive illness and disability, and to examine this phenomenon specifically for women in the United States today. Following a discussion of different ways of operationalizing the concept of disability, the analysis addresses gender biases in disability measurement as well as in recent research on depression and functional impairment. Next, the results of research regarding co-occurrence of disability and depression are reviewed, highlighting those studies focused specifically on women. Turning to research on rehabilitation services for those with psychiatric disabilities, studies suggest that service delivery models fail to address needs specific to women with mental illness in general, as well as those women experiencing severe depression. Thus, the analysis concludes with a series of suggestions and future directions for investigators seeking to better understand the linkages between depression, disability, and rehabilitation services for women.

Variability in community functioning of mothers with serious mental illness

In the post-deinstitutionalization era, everyday community functioning is an important aspect of assessment and treatment of individuals with serious mental illness. The current study focuses on correlates of community functioning among 332 low-income mothers with serious mental illness. Results revealed significant relationships between everyday functioning and a number of demographic, psychiatric, contextual, and mental health treatment variables. Current psychiatric symptoms accounted for the greatest amount of variance and completely mediated the effects of diagnosis and substance abuse history on community functioning; yet contextual variables such as financial worries and social support were also significant predictors, even after controlling for symptoms and other clinical characteristics. Additionally, use of mental health services was a significant moderator of the effect of social stress on community functioning. Implications of results for future research and practice are discussed.