Gender in relation to work motivation, satisfaction and use of day center services among people with psychiatric disabilities

Background: Day centres can prepare for open-market employment, and attendees' work motivation is key in this.Aims: Adopting a gender perspective, this study investigated (1) motivation for day centre attendance, satisfaction with the day centre services, number of hours spent there, and number and type of occupations performed; and (2) whether those factors were related with motivation for open-market employment.Methods: Women (n=164) and men (n=160) with psychiatric disabilities completed self-report questionnaires.Results: There were no gender differences regarding satisfaction with the day centre services or number of hours spent there, but women engaged in more occupations. More women than men performed externally-oriented services and textile work, while men were in the majority in workshops. Externally oriented services, working in workshops, and low satisfaction with the day centre services were associated with higher motivation for employment. Women and men were equally motivated for employment. Women scored higher on motivation for attending the day centre, something that may deter transition into open-market employment. For men, less motivation for attending day centres may reduce their possibilities of gaining skills that can facilitate transitioning to open-market employment.Conclusion: Thus, the possibility for transitioning from day centre activities to open-market employment may be gendered.