Occupational Balance in People With Schizophrenia

Abstract

The aim of this study was to illuminate the concept of occupational balance and to study its relation to occupational engagement as assessed by the Profiles of Occupational Engagement in people with Schizophrenia (POES), health related factors, and quality of life among 72 persons with schizophrenia. Three constructs: being under-occupied, being over-occupied, and having occupational balance, were developed to help assess occupational balance. The inter-reliability testing of occupational balance resulted in good agreement on average. The descriptive statistics showed that 32 participants were deemed to be under-occupied, 35 participants had occupational balance, while five participants were over-occupied. Significant statistical differences were found between the subgroups of being under-occupied and having occupational balance regarding negative symptoms, sense of coherence and quality of life. In clinical practice, the assessment of occupational balance could help occupational therapists to optimize the design of time-use interventions.