Re-imagining occupational wellbeing: Development of an evidence-based framework

The Impact of Psychological Distress on the Occupational Well-Being of Sexual and Gender Minorities

Background: Discrimination against sexual and gender minorities in occupational settings has been an important topic of research. However, little is known about this impact in Portuguese-speaking people. Methods: 305 Portuguese and Brazilian participants who identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and other sexual and gender identities (LGBTQIA+) completed an online survey comprising sociodemographic questions, a set of scales to assess psychological distress, and a set of scales to assess occupational well-being. Results: Participants had higher levels of burnout, depressive symptoms, and anxiety and lower levels of work-related quality of life, engagement, and self-efficacy at work compared to the defined cut-off points for normative populations, with asexual and bisexual people appearing to be the most affected. Significant correlations were found for all variables, and psychological distress was a significant predictor of lower occupational well-being. Conclusions: These findings are useful for understanding the occupational health of LGBTQIA+ people and suggest efforts to improve the climate in the workplace for this population.

Trauma informed occupational therapy school practice with adolescents with social emotional and behavioural difficulties: findings of standardised measures

Abstract Introduction Although non-standardized qualitative and quantitative reports from 39 Irish students aged 12 to 14 years, with complex social and emotional needs and their 13 teachers had established benefits of ‘Movement Matters’, an occupational therapy designed participatory curriculum for learning self-regulation in mainstream schools (National Behaviour Support Service, 2015a), standardized measures were required for quality assurance by the Irish Government funded service. Objective The relevance of findings of standardized attitude measurements on the impacts of an occupation focused intervention with a discrete school population in areas of social disadvantage are discussed. Method Findings of the ‘Pupil Attitude to Self and School’ (PASS) (Granada Learning, 2021) and ‘Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire’ (SDQ) (Youth in Mind, 2021), both well-established standardized measures of attitude and behaviours completed (pre and post intervention) by teachers, parents and students are presented. Results No statistically significant differences were found between the standardized pre and post intervention measures. However, findings indicate a disparity between how these students in complex environments experience school in comparison to large UK study populations. Conclusion This paper discusses the use of these standardized measures for capturing impacts of an occupation focused intervention in a school environment. It calls for an increased appreciation on outcomes measurement related to the intervention’s aim of providing experiences of meaningful participation and well-being. Further collaborative research on outcome measurement of participation of students in complex mainstream school environments is required.

Optimizing a Halfway House to Meet Mental Health Care Users' Occupational Needs : Optimisation d'une maison de transition pour répondre aux besoins occupationnels des usagers des soins de santé mentale

Background. Halfway houses (HwH) may support community reintegration of mental health care users and can be effective in meeting occupational needs of residents. However, they are not optimally used in South Africa. Purpose. This study aimed to improve the functioning of a HwH so that it better meets occupational needs of the resident mental health care users. It draws on Doble & Santha; (2008) seven occupational needs. Method. A four-phase Participatory Action Research methodology was used. We conducted thematic analysis to describe met and unmet needs within PAR phases. Findings. Occupational needs of accomplishment, renewal, pleasure and companionship were being met. However, coherence, agency and affirmation needs were not being met. An additional occupational need for interdependence, based on the African ethic of Ubuntu, was identified. Implications. HwH functioning affected residents' experiences of health and wellbeing. Engagement in collective occupations can contribute to meeting the occupational need of interdependence.

"Just one of the guys" An application of the Occupational Wellbeing framework to graduates of a Men's Shed Program for young unemployed adult males with intellectual disability

INTRODUCTION

Conceptualisation of occupation requires understanding of subjective wellbeing and experiences of occupation. Opportunities for participation in productivity activities, such as employment, may be limited for people with intellectual disability (ID). An occupational wellbeing framework was recently re-imagined to focus on the subjective meaning of a person's occupational life rather than occupational performance. This study analysed experiences and possible benefits to occupational wellbeing of young adult men with ID in an intergenerational mentoring program based on Australian Men's Sheds using this revised occupational wellbeing framework.

METHODS

A qualitative approach was used to gather individual semi-structured interviews at the end of an intergenerational mentoring program to explore occupational wellbeing experiences. Eight individual mentees and five parents of mentees (n = 13) from the different Men's Sheds sites agreed to participate in an individual interview about their experiences of the program. All mentees were male aged between 17 and 24 years. Family members included four female mothers and one male father. Data were highlighted, selected and deductively coded using content analysis according to the five occupational wellbeing domains of the framework.

RESULTS

Mentees reflected upon their experience with their mentor, the program, activities and environment of the Men's Shed. Findings were organised in relation to each of the five domains of occupational wellbeing, including contentment, competence, belonging, identity and autonomy. Experiences of mentees and their family members reflected the positive impact of participation on each domain and occupational wellbeing, including opportunities for socialisation outside of the program, mastery of skills and knowledge and validation of belief in self.

CONCLUSION

Mentees involved in an intergenerational mentoring program in Australian Men's Sheds report benefits of participation in activities that foster and increase occupational wellbeing experiences. The experience of such domains should be considered when attempting to understand the quality of life and function for people with disabilities.