Abstract
A research study explores the experiences of Indian-Gujarati women who have participated in a confinement period, which occurs after birth, via an OT lens and how these cultural practices are evolving, affecting occupations.
Primary Author and Speaker: Dhara Patel
Additional Authors and Speakers: Kathleen (Kay) Cahill Graham
Many Indian-Gujarati women participate in the confinement period (CP) or stay within their home environment after giving birth, impacting social participation and independence in their day-to-day activities. With the increasing diversity of OT clients, it is imperative to understand cultural influences and traditional practices to provide culturally appropriate OT services. The research study will explore the lived experiences of Indian-Gujarati Women during the cultural practice of CP. An interpretative phenomenological research design was adopted, with a purposeful sampling process by word-of-mouth and snowballing for recruitment. Women identified as Indian-Gujarati or originating from the state of Gujarat, at least 18 years old, were used in the study. Women with any current maternal mental health disorder/illness were excluded. Three participants were recruited in each age group with a total of 9 (18 to 44, 45 to 64, 65 and older). Data was analyzed via the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to aid with coding and the organization of emergent themes. This is an idiographic and inductive approach, so each participant is analyzed free of any theoretical framework/constraints. The superordinate theme was Because we are Indian… Four common themes emerged as: Support-Being Indian means we have support, whether we want it or not; Guidelines/Rules we follow because we are Indian; Motherhood in Confinement is an Evolving Process; and When I no longer can-I do it my way. As cultures are not static, traditions are adapting to meet societal needs and establish new norms. Similarly, the cultural practice of CP is evolving as the desired cultural traits are being selected from one generation to another. This is a part of the cultural evolution theory. Culture is inclusive of context, a very important aspect of OT. This study emphasizes further exploring the influence of culture on occupations to guide culturally appropriate practices in the field.
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