Relationships between occupational engagement and status of and satisfaction with sociodemographic factors in a group of people with schizophrenia

Abstract

The present study is part of a larger project investigating occupational engagement and health in a group of people with schizophrenia. This study was aimed at extending this knowledge base with regard to occupational engagement and sociodemographic factors. Seventy-four outpatients participated in the study. The Profile of Occupational Engagement in People with Schizophrenia, the Lancashire Quality of Life Profile scale and a standardized questionnaire were used to gather data. Contrary to what was expected, occupational engagement was not associated with a certain type of schizophrenia, being younger or older, or gender. The results showed that a high level of occupational engagement was related to greater satisfaction with the participants' social and living situation, having a reliable alliance and a close friend, school-leaving age, living in a flat, and working or studying. Satisfaction with living independently, having had a recent experience of accomplishment, and working together explained 55% of the variance in occupational engagement. Occupational therapists should thus focus on and promote social engagement appropriate to the client's level of engagement, the client's opportunity and ability to work, his/her experience of accomplishment, and, most importantly, satisfaction with the home and living situation.