Abstract
This presentation introduces the concept of occupational resilience in occupational science. Drawing from study outcomes revealing enduring performance of music by refugees in challenging circumstances, authors posit that focusing on the talents, skills, and aspirations of individuals enables researchers to recognize successful performance of occupation amid challenges. To advance the debate regarding performance of occupations in problematic situations, occupational resilience is a vital new concept.
Primary Author and Speaker: Bernard Muriithi
Additional Authors and Speakers: Jennifer Muriithi
This study was conducted to determine whether performance of music among survivors of forced displacement was perceived by the musicians as an essential tool for fostering health (and well-being) and whether music making helped recovery from trauma and/or adaptation to a new life. Factors such as language barriers, financial limitations, difficulty maintaining habits and routines in a new environment, legal status, and loss of family/ friends due to displacement have been cited as barriers to occupational performance for displacement survivors. It is important for researchers and other stakeholders to understand not only the challenges but also the talents, skills and aspirations brought by such individuals across borders.
For this phenomenological study, researchers employed purposive and snowball sampling methods to identify participants. Some data were collected through structured and unstructured interviews. Additional data included samples of music performances posted on social media or recorded live at community events. Phenomenological reduction, triangulation and comparison were the primary methods applied in analyzing and identifying essential themes discussed. The approach allowed multiple perspectives to emerge from data, but comparable viewpoints were ultimately identified, categorized and summarized.
Results reveal that despite having significant disruption in their music performance following displacement, these individuals continue to perform music in their new environment. The performers often cited differences in musical style, cultural/ religious values, and high costs of studio recording as barriers limiting their success in the American music industry. They find themselves in a context where their music is not as widely appreciated as in their home countries, where most reported having sold recorded music or performed live music to earn a living. All the participants are employed in other industries to earn their living, but they continue to record music videos and perform music in community gatherings for emotional, physical and spiritual well-being. The performers aspire to be successful musicians in their new context and are seeking ways to adapt, popularize their music, and return to music making careers. The widely cited impetus for their continued performance, amid economic and socio-cultural challenges, is emotional and spiritual health and wellness. Music is thus a significant tool for their wellness and health promotion.
In order to advance insightful debate regarding enduring performance of occupations in environments that limit individuals or groups in specified ways, we propose occupational resilience as a new concept in occupational science. The performance of music by these artists reveals an inspiring tenacity and fortitude that sustains occupational performance despite serious barriers. Occupational resilience enables one to continue performance of an occupation in circumstances in which great effort or even undertaking of risk is necessary to continue performance of the occupation. Occupational resilience is not necessarily positive. Although the performance of music by the refugee musicians has positive health and wellness outcomes, unfavorable outcomes are conceivable when occupational resilience signifies of one’s inability to adapt or embrace new occupations when it is necessary to do so. From a negative angle a person struggling with alcoholism, for example, persists in drinking even when faced with dire consequences such as homelessness, broken relationships, starvation, or even death. The authors invite ongoing debate regarding the application of occupational resilience in studying occupational performance.
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