Occupational therapists' perceived ability to treat and assist bereaved individuals to find new meaning in life through engagement in therapeutic activities

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies on bereavement have focused on the implications for bereaved individuals from behavioural and psychological perspectives. Limited literature discusses occupational therapists' perceived ability to treat bereaved individuals and how activities can be used to create new meaning to their lives. METHOD: A descriptive qualitative design was employed in the study to elicit occupational therapists' perceived ability to treat bereaved individuals find new meaning in their life. Thirty-five occupational therapists were recruited, and nine participated in two focus groups. Data collected were thematically analysed. FINDINGS: Three themes emerged, namely: (1) activities used in occupational therapy creates opportunities for new meaning to life after loss of a loved one, (2) appropriate occupational therapists' helping skills and professional behaviour to assist and treat the bereaved, and (3) perceived barriers to positive outcomes in treating the bereaved. CONCLUSION: Bereaved individuals often have impaired performance in occupations and emotional processing. The effects of bereavement were addressed using the appropriate occupational therapist helping skills and professional behaviour to guide holistic, occupation-based and client-centred treatment. Bereaved individuals were treated through purposeful activities, facilitation of therapeutic groups and self-management skills training which seemed to create opportunities for new meaning in their life. Occupational therapists need to be cognisant of the barriers that negatively influence the positive outcome of occupational therapy services.