Exploring the Nature of the Intention, Meaning and Perception Process of the Neuro-occupation Model to Understand Adaptation to Change.

The theoretical model of neuro-occupation, intention, meaning and perception, sought to describe the symbiotic relationship between occupation and the brain, as a chaotic, self-organized, complex system. Lack of evidence has limited its applicability to practice. The aim of this study was to track the postulates of the model within the daily experiences of subjects. Structured matrices were created for content analysis, using a qualitative multiple-case-study design, typically used for testing models. An underpinning principle of the model, defined a circular causality feedback process, which was confirmed as described through tracing the repetitive processes within the lived experience of two Iranian men. The process suggested that continual adaptation occurred in lives interrupted by cerebrovascular accident, which enabled the subjects to return to expression of meaning through purposeful occupation and continually re-shaped their perceptions. The primary limitation of this study was that it was the earliest attempt to test the model and to substantiate the process by comparing the similarities and differences between too few subjects. Future research should identify the same process in more subjects and validate a practical assessment tool for clients. These findings may inform practitioners about intentional use of occupational challenges to elicit adaptive behaviours in clients.