Enabling biographical repair and recovery through beekeeping

Abstract

ABSTRACT Beekeeping has a long tradition in Slovenia and other parts of the world. It is often associated with concrete outcomes such as therapeutic bee products; but little is known about its less tangible dimensions connected with human-animal interactions. In this study, interpretive phenomenology was used to explore the meaning making and lived experiences of six beekeepers living with a chronic neurological condition. Participants shared their experiences through interviews which were conducted by a fellow beekeeper-researcher. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to develop two main themes that described a lifelong relationship with beekeeping and changes in times of illness. These included new ways of doing and perceiving the occupation of beekeeping and the enhanced meaning that was developed when faced with health challenges. The participants’ stories showed a gradual path to reconciliation and new normality through occupation, which included both experiences of grief when the bees had to be reprioritised and feelings of joy when they returned to spending time with and caring for the bees, albeit in adapted ways. The findings provide further insights into biographical repair from an occupational perspective and help to situate occupational science in a new geographical context, which may have specific characteristics considering the nature of valued occupations and connections with non-human species.