Psychological Analysis of Those Involved in the Process of Social Rehabilitation of Mental Patients

Abstract

In an attempt to identify the thoughts and feelings of those involved in the process of the social rehabilitation of mental patients, a series of tests was conducted at Ohfuji Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan, which is well known for its active role in the social rehabilitation of its patients. For the purpose of this paper, tested were Shoku-oya*, employees working for Shoku-oya, employees at the hospital and families of patients. Following are the conclusions drawn from the tests. 1) Shoku-oya have, and express, positive feelings for mental patients, actively cooperating for thier social rehabilitation by employing them at their companies. Through their long experience as Shoku-oya, they have cultivated a volunteer spirit and have acquired special know-how in the employment of those with mental disorders. They educate and train such people up to a level where their employment is also to the advantage of the management of their companies, 2) Employees working for Shoku-oya companies generally get along well with their co-workers with mental disorders, though they have less receptiveness than Shoku-oya. Over the years, they have acquired an in-depth understanding of the situation surroundig mental patients and, currently, they are free from any bias against them. 3) Naturally employees at Ohfuji Hospital have a positive feeling about mental patients. Through daily contacts, however, they face serious problems associated with mental disorders. Consequently, they are not always so optimistic concerning social rehabilitation. 4) Families of mental patients long for social rehabilitation and hope that the patients will eventually be able to independently.. For this reason, families, even those living far away from the hospital, send patients to the hospital with Shoku-oya programs. Families of the mental patients now employed by Shoku-oya expressed their desire that employment be maintained.