Mental Health Clients Confirm the Motivating Power of Occupation

Abstract

Most occupational therapists, like the founders of the profession, believe that engagement in meaningful occupation is fundamental in helping to overcome the effects of disability. This paper describes the method and one of the resulting themes of a study that investigated the value, related to personal meaning, of occupation from the perspective of people with enduring mental health problems.

Qualitative research methods were used in two mental health day service settings: a workshop, where woodwork was provided as a medium for creative therapy, and a drop-in facility. Clients were asked about their motivation, their occupational experiences and any benefits that engagement in occupation might have had for them. Participant observation was undertaken over 10 sessions and six in-depth interviews were conducted. The findings emerged through content and inductive analysis, as well as analytical triangulation of the data.

Occupation was identified as a means for generating intrinsic motivation. By providing a sense of purpose and a structuring of time, within an empowering environment, engagement in occupation was seen to be of value and had personal meaning for the clients. However, more research needs to be undertaken to augment the findings. Such evidence will support increased provision of occupation for people whose lives have been severely disrupted by mental health problems.