Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY, 2024 (SSCI)
The meaning of work was investigated in various groups, but there is a need for deeper understanding of the meaning of work in individuals with work disability, who are seeking to return-to-work within the economical context of Turkey. Understanding how unemployed individuals with work disability who were seeking to the return-to-work made sense of work and explore their subjectively assigned meaning to work within the Turkish context. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 9 participants and the collected data was analyzed according to Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. The findings outlined three themes within a self-contained structure, in which the meaning of work was described as a conclusion to the journey of going back to the normal, re-discovering esteem and re-enabling self-actualization. Working meant going back to normal, being a functioning member of the society and actualize oneself for the participants. It was discovered that the economical context of Turkey played a significant role for some participants in their process of making sense of work. This study provides in-depth understanding of the meaning of work for individuals with work disability, who are actively seeking to return-to-work and are living in the economical context of Turkey.