Date Presented Accepted for AOTA INSPIRE 2021 but unable to be presented due to online event limitations.
This study provides a foundation for the use of an occupation-based outcome measure in conjunction with a strengths-based approach for use with persons with a diagnosed substance abuse disorder (SUD). Eighteen participants were assessed in a forensic residential treatment facility to explore the utility of the Occupational Circumstances Assessment Interview and Rating Scale. Participants also took the Values in Action Inventory of Strengths to assess character strengths.
Primary Author and Speaker: Jeffrey Sargent
Additional Authors and Speakers: Kristin Valdes
PURPOSE: The aim of this paper is to explore the use of the Occupational Circumstances Assessment Interview and Rating Scale (OCAIRS) and the Values in Action Inventory of Strengths (VIA-IS-P) with individuals with SUD. SUD research in occupational is severely lacking, specifically use of outcome measures with this population; this study provides
DESIGN: This study utilized a cross sectional design
METHOD: The university IRB committee approved the study. The setting for the research was a Department of Corrections contracted non-profit residential treatment facility that serves inmates deemed in need of substance abuse and mental health treatment as diversion from jail. Inclusion criteria included participants deemed in need of occupational therapy based on a lack of progression in facility programming, 6 or more months left in treatment, and the facility treatment team's perception of the client's willingness to participate in treatment. Exclusion criteria were individuals that had fewer than 6 months left in treatment and those unwilling to participate. The Occupational Circumstances Assessment Interview and Rating Scale (OCAIRS; Forsyth et al., 2005) was used as a baseline measure, and the Values in Action Inventory of Strengths (VIA-IS-P; Peterson & Seligman, 2004) was used as a self-report measure.
RESULTS: 18 female clients ages 23 to 47 participated in this study. Seventeen of 18 clients were white and one was white/Hispanic. All 18 clients suffered from diagnosed substance abuse disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions. The highest mean score for participants being assessed by the OCAIRS was 2.50 for the skills category, and the lowest for the interests category with 1.66. Across all total OCAIRS scores for all clients, the mean score was 2.06 with 4 being high and 1 being the lowest, indicating that the category restricted participation. Seventeen (94%) and 15 (83%) of clients reported that a current or immediate past role and habit inhibited occupational participation, as well as 15 (83%) reporting their social environment inhibited occupational participation. Six (33%) of clients showed that their current or past interests restricted occupational participation. One (5%) percent of the clients had values that facilitated occupational participation, and 5(27%) reported that they had values that allowed occupational performance. Eleven (61%) reported that their values inhibited their occupational performance and 1 (5%) indicated that values restricted their occupational performance. Regarding personal strengths identified by the VIA-IS-P, 11 (61%) of the subjects reported prudence and self-regulation as lesser strengths, and 10 (55%) reported perseverance as a lesser strength. However, eight (44%) subjects reported to have kindness as a signature strength, and seven (38%) reported that fairness was a signature strength. Six (33%) scored love as signature strength.
CONCLUSION: The OCAIRS is a valid occupational-based outcome measure suitable for occupational therapists to use with the substance abuse/co-occurring disorder populations as a baseline assessment that can guide treatment planning. In conjunction with the OCAIRS, the VIA-IS-P is a valuable self-report measure of character strengths that can help to create a positive outlook for a person in recovery. While there exists a gap in substance abuse occupational therapy literature, this study provides a baseline for progression within the field by showing how to use a validated occupation-based outcome measure in conjunction with utilizing a strengths-based to approach to bring positive change to the daily occupational lives of those experiencing substance abuse and co-occurring disorders.
References
Forsyth, K., Deshpande, S., Kielhofner, G., Henriksson, C., Haglund, L., Olson, L., Skinner, S., Kulkarni, S. (2005). Occupational Circumstances Assessment Interview and Rating Scale (OCAIRS). Assessment Manual. The University of Illinois at Chicago
Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Character strengths and virtues: A handbook and classification. Oxford University Press. American Psychological Association
