Lana van Niekerk1. 1. Faculty of Health Science, School of Health and Rehabilitation Science, Division Occupational Therapy, University of Cape Town, F45, Old Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory 7925, South Africa. Lana.VanNiekerk@uct.ac.za.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Not enough is known about the relationship between work and health, particularly for people with psychiatric disability. A review of research investigating variables that predict success at work showed inconsistent and contradicting results. The voice of people with psychiatric disability was found to be largely missing from literature. A study was therefore undertaken to explore the influences that impacted on the work-lives of people with psychiatric disability. This paper elucidates the importance of participation in work as an essential ingredient in the promotion of occupational justice, in identity construction and in the process of recovery for persons with psychiatric disability. METHOD: Interpretive biography was utilised to explore the experiences of people with psychiatric disability in the Western Cape, South Africa. Seventeen participants were identified using maximum variation sampling. Life story narratives were elicited during an average of three individual interviews per participant. Processes of analysis and interpretation were informed by a combination of paradigmatic narrative analysis and narrative analysis strategies. FINDINGS: A complex interplay of influences that shaped the identities of participants in ways that can assist or hinder their participation in work was revealed. Participation in work was perceived to be a means of recovery and a source of wellness for participants. CONCLUSIONS: More conscious effort is needed to promote the use of work as source of support and resource for health for persons who live with psychiatric impairment.
BACKGROUND: Not enough is known about the relationship between work and health, particularly for people with psychiatric disability. A review of research investigating variables that predict success at work showed inconsistent and contradicting results. The voice of people with psychiatric disability was found to be largely missing from literature. A study was therefore undertaken to explore the influences that impacted on the work-lives of people with psychiatric disability. This paper elucidates the importance of participation in work as an essential ingredient in the promotion of occupational justice, in identity construction and in the process of recovery for persons with psychiatric disability. METHOD: Interpretive biography was utilised to explore the experiences of people with psychiatric disability in the Western Cape, South Africa. Seventeen participants were identified using maximum variation sampling. Life story narratives were elicited during an average of three individual interviews per participant. Processes of analysis and interpretation were informed by a combination of paradigmatic narrative analysis and narrative analysis strategies. FINDINGS: A complex interplay of influences that shaped the identities of participants in ways that can assist or hinder their participation in work was revealed. Participation in work was perceived to be a means of recovery and a source of wellness for participants. CONCLUSIONS: More conscious effort is needed to promote the use of work as source of support and resource for health for persons who live with psychiatric impairment.
Authors: Sebastian von Peter; Lena Göppert; Jenny Ziegenhagen; Timo Beeker; Rosa Glück; Birte Groth; Uwe Groß; Arne Reinholdt; Robin Boerma; Matthias Heißler; Juri Habicht; Julian Schwarz Journal: Front Psychiatry Date: 2021-04-23 Impact factor: 4.157
Authors: Joy Van de Cauter; Hanna Van Schoorisse; Dominique Van de Velde; Joz Motmans; Lutgart Braeckman Journal: PLoS One Date: 2021-11-01 Impact factor: 3.240