Two Hundred Years of Therapeutic Occupations for Women Hospital Patients

Abstract

In the second article in the series, a brief history of the use of occupation in the treatment of women in psychiatric hospitals from the mid-19th century onwards is given. The continued emphasis on sex-differentiated activities is discussed because this is thought to have implications for women's roles and opportunities. To see whether or not occupational therapists' choice of therapeutic activities has changed during the past 25 years as a reflection of the growth of feminism, back issues of BJOT are examined. Overall, attitudes towards women with mental illnesses are shown to have become more liberal, with less stress on retraining for traditional roles and tasks. However, occupational therapy may well lag behind as social roles are redefined and there is yet no room for complacency.