Psychosocial Occupational Therapy Research Articles

Exploring coping strategies among caregivers of children who have survived paediatric cancer in Jordan

ObjectiveTo explore the coping strategies of caregivers of children who have survived paediatric cancer in Jordan.Materials and methodsThis study used a cross-sectional survey design and convenient sampling. The sample included...

Impact of Psychosocial Occupational Therapy Combined with Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation to the Left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex on the Cognitive Performance of Patients with Schizophrenia: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BackgroundThe most common cognitive dysfunctions in patients with schizophrenia are information processing, memory, and learning. Based on the hypothesis of rehabilitation and brain stimulation in memory and learning, adding a form of neuromodulation to conventional rehabilitation might increase the effectiveness of treatments.AimsTo explore the effects of psychosocial occupational therapy combined with anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on cognitive performance in patients with Schizophrenia.MethodsTwenty-four patients diagnosed with schizophrenia were randomized into the experimental and control groups. We used The Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) and the Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment battery (LOTCA) to assess spatial recognition, attention, visual memory, learning abilities, and high-level cognitive functions like problem-solving. All participants received customized psychosocial occupational therapy activities. Furthermore, the experimental group received 12 sessions of active anodal tDCS for 20 minutes with 2 mA intensity on the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) while the patients in the sham group received sham tDCS.ResultsCombining tDCS to conventional psychosocial occupational therapy resulted in a significant increase in spatial memory, visual learning, and attention.ConclusionsAnodal tDCS on the left DLPFC improved visual memory, attention, and learning abilities. Contrary to our expectations, we could not find any changes in complex and more demanding cognitive functions.

Reviving Nostalgia for an Era of Practice: An Illustration of the Therapeutic Use of Projective Methods/Media in Occupational Therapy

Projective methods have long had their roots in psychosocial occupational therapy and they remain valuable to the profession. In this article, the author hopes to reawaken interest for an era of practice that was strongly influenced by psychoanalytic theories. She critiques the conceptual models that inform their use in mental health and argues the importance of having a sound theoretical stance in light of the profession’s unique value in this area. She articulates the methods’ clinical utility and relevance to occupational therapy practice and recovery-oriented care. Using a clinical illustration, she demonstrates the potency of the unfolding process between therapist, client and activity.

The Psychosocial Occupational Therapy Competency Assessment (POT-CA): Development and Implementation in a Level I Fieldwork Course

The Psychosocial Occupational Therapy Competency Assessment (POT-CA): Development and Implementation in a Level I Fieldwork Course

A Qualitative Study of Community–University Partnerships That Support Psychosocial Occupational Therapy

Community partner voices are important to understand because they provide the contexts in which occupational therapy (OT) students research community-identified needs and together, create evidence-based occupation-focused programs while developing clinical reasoning skills in a natural context. The purpose of this study is to understand how community partners experienced partnerships that support community-based research in psychosocial settings. This retrospective study explores the perspectives of community partners that hosted OT students for two-semester service-learning project over 3 years. Findings revealed partners value effective communication with faculty and students, spending time observing, listening, and developing meaningful relationships with clients and staff.

Psychotherapy: A profile of current occupational therapy practice in Ontario

Psychotherapy can be an important part of psychosocial occupational therapy practice; however, it requires specialized training to achieve and maintain competence. Regulation varies by province, and in Ontario, occupational therapists were recently authorized to perform psychotherapy. The purpose of this study was to explore the psychotherapy practice, training, and support needs of Ontario occupational therapists. An online survey was sent to occupational therapists who had clients with mental health or chronic pain issues, asking about their expertise and support needs in relation to nine psychotherapy approaches. Of the 331 therapists who responded, there were variations in the nature and frequency of psychotherapy practice. Experienced therapists in outpatient settings were more likely to practice psychotherapy, and cognitive-behaviour therapy, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness were the most common approaches. Supervision and training varied, with many therapists interested in occupational therapy-specific training. Recommendations for a framework of support include education about the nature of psychotherapy, training and supervision guidelines, and advocacy for occupational therapy and psychotherapy.

Three Views of Artful Practice in Psychosocial Occupational Therapy

This qualitative study explored artfulness in the psychosocial practice of three occupational therapists through in-depth observation and interviews. Analysis focused on the therapist-client relationship, activity use, self-reflection, and the change process. Each therapist established an interpersonal connection while offering meaningful, engaging activities. In addition, each brought a distinct and unique personal view to treatment. Findings suggest that the art of practice in occupational therapy is constructed by the therapist's integrated balance of substance, form, and vision to achieve a coherent whole, which positively influences the personal views of substance, form, and vision in clients.

Psychosocial Occupational Therapy: An Evolving Practice, 3rd Edition (2013)

This is the third edition of a text that has become a staple to psychosocial occupational therapy practice. The reader who opens this book hoping to discover best practices in occupational therapy ...

Sustainable enhancement in clients who perceive the Tree Theme Method® as a positive intervention in psychosocial occupational therapy

The Tree Theme Method(®) is an intervention based on creative activities and occupational storytelling. The Tree Theme Method(®) implies that the clients draw and paint trees symbolising various periods in their life. The pictures are then used as a starting point to tell their life story to enhance their wellbeing and management of their everyday life. This study aimed to evaluate if changes observed among clients regarding their wellbeing and everyday occupations, between baseline and the end of their term of the Tree Theme Method(®) therapy, persisted three years after the completion of the intervention. This study had a quantitative design. Thirty-one former clients were recruited to a follow-up three years after completing the intervention. Self-rating questionnaires were used regarding psychological symptoms, self-mastery, sense of coherence, activity level, occupational performance and satisfaction with occupational performance. Non-parametric methods were used for the data analysis. The findings revealed positive significant changes regarding sense of coherence and occupational performance and satisfaction with occupational performance, measured between the end of the intervention and at the time of the three-year follow-up. Furthermore, the respondents' ratings regarding psychological symptoms, self-mastery, activity level and the extent of satisfaction with performed occupations were found to be stable. The Tree Theme Method(®) appeared to function well as an intervention in psychosocial occupational therapy, where the aim was that a client would enhance their wellbeing and management of their everyday life. However, there is need for further evaluation to assess the effects of the Tree Theme Method(®) intervention.

Occupational Therapists' Perception of the Tree Theme Method™ as an Intervention in Psychosocial Occupational Therapy

This study investigated how occupational therapists experience utilization of the Tree Theme Method, an intervention based on creative activities and life-story telling and making. The Tree Theme Method is comprised of five sessions in which the therapist asks the client to paint symbolic trees, with specific themes representing their present life situation, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and the future. Nine occupational therapists in mental health care were asked about their experiences when using the Tree Theme Method. The informants formed two focus groups and each group was interviewed twice. Qualitative content analysis was used to identify five categories including: (1) therapeutic frames, (2) therapist requirements, (3) client requirements, (4) the therapeutic relationship, and (5) the Tree Theme Method as a multi-dimensional process. Overall the informants were satisfied with the intervention with some variation as to therapists' perception about the helpfulness of the tool. The Tree Theme Method was experienced as a structured method of starting a therapeutic process and initiating a therapist–client relationship. The therapeutic attitude, self-knowledge, and expert knowledge seemed to be important prerequisites for the therapists when using the Tree Theme Method intervention.

Meeting the Psychosocial Needs of the Students in Special Education: An Ethnographic Study

One of the top 10 emerging practices as reported by the American Occupational Therapy Association is psychosocial occupational therapy. The purpose of this research was to examine the psychosocial practice of the school-based occupational therapist. This research study utilized a structured interview to identify and analyze the extent of the occupational therapist's understanding and application of psychosocial occupational therapy in meeting the needs of the students in special education. This study explored the occupational therapist's perception of his or her psychosocial educational background and existing training needs in psychosocial occupational therapy. Six themes emerged from the data analysis: (1) understanding of psychosocial occupational therapy, (2) role in meeting psychosocial needs, (3) measurement of effectiveness, (4) identification of practice models, (5) usefulness of occupational therapy education, and (6) additional training needs in occupational therapy.

The Tree Theme Method as an intervention in psychosocial occupational therapy: Client acceptability and outcomes

The Tree Theme Method (TTM) is an intervention in which the client paints trees representing certain periods in his/her life. The intervention comprises five sessions, using trees as a starting point to tell one's life story. This study, which is part of an implementation project, aimed to examine the therapeutic alliance and client satisfaction, in relation to perceptions of everyday occupations and health-related factors, with clients going through a TTM intervention. Nine occupational therapists recruited 35 clients, at general outpatient mental health care units, for the TTM intervention. Self-rating instruments, targeting therapeutic alliance (HAq-II), different aspects of daily occupations (Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, Satisfaction with Daily Occupations), health-related factors (Sense of Coherence measure, Mastery Scale, Symptom Checklist-90-R) and client satisfaction (Client Satisfaction Questionnaire), were administrated before and after the intervention. A good initial therapeutic alliance, experienced by both therapists and clients, was correlated to increased changes regarding occupational performance and self-mastery. According to the therapists' ratings, a good initial therapeutic alliance was correlated to increased sense of coherence and a decreased level of psychiatric symptoms. The results showed positive significant changes in occupational performance and health-related factors. High ratings of the therapeutic alliance by the therapists were also related to high client satisfaction. The TTM seemed to function well in psychosocial occupational therapy, but there is a need for further implementation studies to deepen our understanding of the treatment process, comprising both technique and formation of the therapeutic alliance.

Content Validity, Clinical Utility, Sensitivity to Change and Discriminant Ability of the Swedish Satisfaction with Daily Occupations (SDO) Instrument: A Screening Tool for People with Mental Disorders

A screening tool for assessing satisfaction with daily occupations among people with mental illness has been devised — the Swedish version of the Satisfaction with Daily Occupations (SDO) instrument — comprising a satisfaction scale and an activity level scale. The aim was to investigate the SDO for content validity, clinical utility, sensitivity to change and discriminant ability. Nine occupational therapists evaluated the content validity of the SDO. Sensitivity to change was assessed on a sample of 36 clients in psychosocial occupational therapy. Discriminant ability was evaluated by comparing four samples: (1) 103 clients with a diagnosis of severe mental illness, (2) 55 clients attending an outpatient mental health clinic, (3) 36 women with a diagnosis of systemic sclerosis and (4) 40 healthy women. The SDO rendered positive ratings regarding content validity, but some rewording of items was indicated as well as clearer instructions. Both the satisfaction scale and the activity level scale were found to be responsive to change. Discriminant ability was shown in that, in particular, the activity level score distinguished the mentally ill participants from the other samples. The SDO was shown to reflect the targeted phenomenon satisfactorily and to be sensitive enough to detect change following an occupational therapy intervention. However, so far only the Swedish version of the SDO has been studied, but an English version is available whose cross-cultural validity should be examined.

General Practice Considerations in Psychosocial Occupational Therapy

General Practice Considerations in Psychosocial Occupational Therapy

The Dilemma of Psychosocial Occupational Therapy in Public Schools

This article presents the textual analysis of the responses of 373 occupational therapists working in school systems across the United States of America who responded to the question “List any obstacles to providing occupational therapy services to school aged students with severe emotional disturbance” on a recent survey. The purpose of the analysis is to describe some of the barriers and solutions to the provision of occupational therapy services to school aged students with emotional disturbance. The 754 responses received were categorized into themes. The themes which emerged from the occupational therapists' responses were: (1) role confusion; (2) limited knowledge base; (3) identification and provision of occupational therapy services; (4) administrative factors; (5) lack of efficient teaming; (6) classroom factors; (7) the behaviors of the student with emotional disturbance; and (8) parental factors. The respondents' suggestions for improving the provision of occupational therapy services to this population are discussed.

The Tree Theme Method in Psychosocial Occupational Therapy: A Case Study

This study aimed to describe the Tree Theme Method (TTM) as a method for intervention in psychosocial occupational therapy. The TTM is based on theories concerning creative activities and occupational storytelling and story making. In order to exemplify the method a case study of a treatment process with follow up was undertaken. The participant was a female client suffering from anxiety and depression. During an interview the client painted symbolic trees on five different occasions with specific variations of the tree theme: a tree symbolizing her present life, her childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and, finally, a tree representing her future. The trees were used as starting points for the client to tell her life story. The intention was that she would find new strategies for how to change her daily life. Three years later there was a follow up stage where the client painted new trees and told her story. Some life themes were identified. The TTM appears suitable for intervention in psychosocial occupational therapy. In future studies the TTM should be subjected to evaluation research based on several clients in order to develop a deeper understanding of the process and what kind of results changes in the TTM intervention may provide.

Culture, Cultural Competency and Psychosocial Occupational Therapy: A Middle Eastern Perspective

A Western occupational therapist appointed to mental health services for Emirati nationals in Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates is faced with many questions regarding competent practice in what is, to the therapist, a largely alien culture. In an effort to develop a culturally sensitive approach to a new service development, an extensive review was undertaken of the cultural competency and related occupational therapy literature and a framework for culturally competent practice was proposed (Awaad 2003a).One of the key themes identified was the importance of attaining, and the skilful use in therapy, of specific cultural knowledge. This paper attempts to apply this principle through an exploration of the literature concerned with social, occupational and mental health practices in Middle Eastern Islamic societies and their relationship to psychosocial occupational therapy.

Explicit and Implicit Methods in Psychosocial Occupational Therapy

Sometimes the goal of a psychosocial occupational therapy intervention is not obvious for someone observing the process, and this may lead to misunderstandings as to the targeted outcomes for various occupational therapy methods. Summarizing features found in psychosocial occupational therapy practice, in textbooks, and in occupational therapy models, this paper proposes a simple structure for characterizing psychosocial occupational therapy interventions and for describing some disparities between different programs. The structure builds on two concepts, explicit and implicit methods, which form the end-poles of a continuum. Similarities and differences between the two extremes are described, addressing the following characteristics: long-term goals, motivational source, short-term goals, activities used, strategy used, time required, theoretical framework, and position in the profession.

Applying Object Relations Theory to Psychosocial Occupational Therapy

This paper presents and discusses some important aspects of object relations theory and explores whether object relations theory fills the requirements for a conceptual model of practice for occupational therapy. This paper presents the work of two theorists of potential interest to occupational therapy-Harry Stack Sullivan and Donald Woods Winnicott. To explore whether object relations theory fills the requirements for a conceptual model of practice for occupational therapy, Kielhofner's (1997) criteria for a conceptual model of practice are used, and an attempt to formulate an object relations model for occupational therapy practice is outlined. It is concluded that object relations theory provides important knowledge, and it is possible to formulate a conceptual model of practice for psychosocial occupational therapy based on this theory. Further empirical studies, however, are necessary to evaluate and refine such a model.

Occupation-as-Means to Mental Health: A Review of the Literature, and a Call for Research

Occupational therapy is a profession which is based upon many beliefs about occupation. One belief is that engagement in occupation can promote physical and mental health. This belief appears to support the profession's jurisdictional claim to the use and application of occupation in psychosocial practice. A review of the psychosocial occupational therapy literature yielded few empirical studies which addressed the use of occupation-as-means to mental health. A discrepancy exists between what the profession theoretically advances about occupation and the research conducted in this area. This discrepancy is highlighted as a possible explanation for the lack of recognition of the value of occupational therapy in mental health and is forwarded as a potential risk to the profession's jurisdictional claim to the use and application of occupation. A call to research is advanced to develop a knowledge base on occupation, to empirically support the use of occupation as therapy, and to secure a unique role for occupational therapy in psychosocial practice.