Perceived social status among people with psychiatric disabilities attending work-oriented and meeting place-oriented day centers

Perceived occupational balance and well-being among people with mental illness living in two types of supported housing

Background: People with psychiatric disabilities often struggle with maintaining a satisfying occupational balance. Knowledge about factors of relevance for occupational balance in this group is therefore vital for improving their support.Aim: The aim was to describe perceptions of occupational balance among people with psychiatric disabilities living in supported housing (SH) or in own flat/house with housing support (OHS). Potential importance of housing context and socio-demographic, well-being and recovery factors for occupational balance was also explored.Methods: Participants from SH (N = 155) and OHS (N = 111) responded to questionnaires about sociodemographic situation, well-being (self-rated health, life satisfaction and self-mastery), personal recovery and occupational balance (work, leisure, home chores, self-care and general balance assessed by SDO-OB).Results: A majority in both groups reported being in balance regarding all five domains of occupational balance. The OHS group reported being more under-occupied for home chores and self-care. Self-mastery was the most important contributor in both groups in the domains of work, domestic chores and self-care. Day center attendance was vital for general occupational balance.Conclusion: Both groups generally perceived occupational balance. Control over one's life situation and possibilities for regularly participating in occupations outside the home environment should receive high priority in housing support.

Experiences of meaning of occupation at day centers among people with psychiatric disabilities

BACKGROUND

There is a need for intervention studies of persons with psychiatric disabilities who attend day centers (DCs).

AIM

The aim of this study was to investigate how people living with psychiatric disability experience and describe the meaning of occupation at DCs after taking part in an intervention.

METHODS

An interpretative phenomenological approach was used and 11 participants in the intervention were interviewed.

RESULTS

The superordinate theme describing the experienced meaning at the DC was As a substitute for work, and the sub-themes were; A feeling of belonging to a subculture; Flexibility and adaptation of occupation in accordance with the individual's needs and recovery process; and Influence.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicated that the intervention played an important role for the creation of meaning at the DC's for the participants in their daily lives and appeared to promote their well-being. Activities that promoted structure and were experienced as work-like as well as activities that promoted social belonging and influence at the DC were experienced as meaningful. Further intervention studies are needed to gain more knowledge about how to tailor different approaches and activities at DCs in the municipalities that could be experienced as meaningful by their members.