Louise Karlsson1,2, Andreas Ivarsson2, Lena-Karin Erlandsson2,3. 1. Region of Sörmland, Nykoping, Sweden. 2. School of Health & Welfare, Halmstad University, Halmstad, Sweden. 3. Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Sick leave due to stress-related mental ill health increases in society. In occupational therapy, occupational balance is considered important for experiencing health and well-being. Thus, knowledge regarding occupational balance and occupational value constitute essential parts of occupational therapists' work with people suffering from occupational ill health. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to analyse the relationships between sociodemographic factors, occupational value, occupational balance and perceived health in people suffering from occupational ill health. METHODS: In a quantitative cross-sectional study data from a total of 218 individuals were included, 192 women, 22 men and 4 individuals who did not specify their gender. Data were collected by means of surveys prior to an occupational therapy intervention. The instruments used included OVal-pd, OBQ, EQ5D and a sociodemographic questionnaire. Data were analysed using regression and decision tree analysis. RESULTS: The results show that individuals who experience an imbalance in their everyday life and who have few or no experiences of daily occupations imprinted by socio-symbolic occupational value experienced lower perceived health. CONCLUSIONS: Low level of experiences of balance in daily life and occupational value seems to be the main risk factors for the development of occupational ill health, rather than sociodemographic factors.
BACKGROUND: Sick leave due to stress-related mental ill health increases in society. In occupational therapy, occupational balance is considered important for experiencing health and well-being. Thus, knowledge regarding occupational balance and occupational value constitute essential parts of occupational therapists' work with people suffering from occupational ill health. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to analyse the relationships between sociodemographic factors, occupational value, occupational balance and perceived health in people suffering from occupational ill health. METHODS: In a quantitative cross-sectional study data from a total of 218 individuals were included, 192 women, 22 men and 4 individuals who did not specify their gender. Data were collected by means of surveys prior to an occupational therapy intervention. The instruments used included OVal-pd, OBQ, EQ5D and a sociodemographic questionnaire. Data were analysed using regression and decision tree analysis. RESULTS: The results show that individuals who experience an imbalance in their everyday life and who have few or no experiences of daily occupations imprinted by socio-symbolic occupational value experienced lower perceived health. CONCLUSIONS: Low level of experiences of balance in daily life and occupational value seems to be the main risk factors for the development of occupational ill health, rather than sociodemographic factors.
Authors: Charlotte Sylwander; Evelina Sunesson; Maria L E Andersson; Emma Haglund; Ingrid Larsson Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-08-24 Impact factor: 4.614