This study was conducted to determine the predictors of employment intention for mentally disabled persons.

Mentally disabled persons who had participated in rehabilitation programs in one of 16 mental health centers and 9 community rehabilitation centers located in Seoul and Kyunggi province were recruited for this study. A random sampling method was used and 414 respondents were used for final analysis. Data was analyzed by Pearson's correlation, and stepwise multiple regression using the SPSS Win 14.0.

The predictors influencing employment intention of the mentally disabled person were observed as employment desire (β=.48), guardian's expectation (β=.26), professional's support (β=.23), financial management (β=.10), eating habits (β=.07), and quality of life (β=-.01). Six factors explained 61.1% of employment intention of mentally disabled persons.

The employment intention of a mentally disabled person was influenced by employment desire, diet self-efficacy, guardian's expectation, professional's support, quality of life, financial management and eating habits.