Abstract
One of the founding assumptions underlying the health professions is the belief that there is a strong relationship between engagement in occupations, health, and wellbeing. The ability to perform everyday occupations (occupational performance) has a positive effect on health and wellbeing. However, there is also conflicting evidence indicating that participation in multiple roles or in certain occupations may lead to poorer health. Therefore, there is a need to better understand this relationship. The purpose of the present study was to examine three possible theoretical models to explain mothers’ health and life satisfaction from the perspective of their occupational performance, their role load, and their social support. 150 married mothers, ages of 25–45, who had at least one child between the ages of one to ten years, participated in the study. Data were collected by using seven self-report questionnaires. The models were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling. The results show that social support has a direct effect on mothers’ physical health and life satisfaction and an indirect effect, mediated through the occupational performance variables, on mothers’ mental health and life satisfaction. Role overload does not affect mothers’ health and life satisfaction. These results suggest that mothers could benefit from health programs that help them manage their occupational routines. Such programs should focus on improving the mother’s occupational performance and adapting her social environment to fit her occupational needs.
Highlights
One of the assumptions underlying theory and practice in the health professions in general and in occupational therapy in particular is the belief that there is a strong relationship between engagement in occupations, health, and wellbeing [1,2]
Motherhood has been scarcely examined from the perspective of occupation and its effect on the health and life satisfaction of women
Our results indicate that occupational performance affects mental health and life satisfaction
Summary
One of the assumptions underlying theory and practice in the health professions in general and in occupational therapy in particular is the belief that there is a strong relationship between engagement in occupations, health, and wellbeing [1,2]. This assumption was tested in various studies, and there is clear agreement about the existence of a relationship between the three variables, there is not enough evidence about the direction of the connection in different populations. Other factors affect the relationship between the three variables. A proposed theoretical model has been outlined to illustrate the study’s hypotheses (Figure 1)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
