Biomedical subjects

Staffan Josephsson

Publications and source records attributed to Staffan Josephsson.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Promoting autonomy of the client with persistent mental illness: a challenge for occupational therapists from The Netherlands, Germany and Belgium.

The aim of this study was to determine how occupational therapists from The Netherlands, Germany and Belgium promote the autonomy of clients with persistent mental illness. Sixty occupational therapists working in psychosocial mental health completed two semi-structured questionnaires. Data were analysed by applying the constant comparative method. The results of the study show the importance of handling motivation in relation to personal autonomy and the different strategies occupational therapists use in promoting autonomy. In conclusion, enhancing clients' personal autonomy will empower and help them to discover meaningful occupations. More in-depth information could have been obtained using an interview in combination with observations. Further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of strategies used by occupational therapists in promoting clients' autonomy.

Belgium↗

PubMed2006

Leaving homelessness and addiction: narratives of an occupational transition.

The aim of this exploratory study was to gain an understanding of occupational aspects of homelessness and of the transition from homelessness. Data were collected through narrative interviews of two formerly homeless women recovering from drug addiction. Data were analyzed using a constant comparative method followed by a narrative analysis. The findings first identified homelessness as a life of high intensity lived within a limited time perspective. Further, for these women homelessness was related to drug addiction, which was experienced at first as a solution to life situations that seemed impossible to handle. Second, the analysis showed how social relationships can strengthen or change the lived plots of the participants. Third, the transition out of homelessness was accomplished through the development and enactment of new lived plots. Finally the analysis showed that life as formerly homeless women was experienced as less intense and as a life that can only partly be controlled. This new life includes a broader time perspective. In the discussion, the relationship between time use and the meaning-making process and possible practical implications of this study are presented.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Creativity and order in communication: implications from philosophy to narrative research concerning human occupation.

Narrative theory and methods are increasingly featured in qualitative research relating to human occupation. The present article addresses the concept of narrative in relation to some relevant foundational philosophical and theoretical roots. Specifically a twofold function of narrative as a mechanism for producing order versus creativity is highlighted. It is argued that these functions might serve as resources in research relating to human occupation, specifically regarding issues pertaining to change and agency. Examples from qualitative empirical research relating to human occupation are used to demonstrate points under discussion.

Communication↗

PubMed2005

Creating connections to life during life-threatening illness: creative activity experienced by elderly people and occupational therapists.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to discover and characterize components of engagement in creative activity as occupational therapy for elderly people dealing with life-threatening illness, from the perspective of both clients and therapists. Despite a long tradition of use in clinical interventions, key questions remain little addressed concerning how and why people seek these activities and the kinds of benefits that may result. METHOD: Qualitative interviews were conducted with 8 clients and 7 therapists participating in creative workshops using crafts at a nursing home in Sweden. Analysis of the interviews was conducted using a constant comparative method. FINDINGS: Engaging in creative activity served as a medium that enabled creation of connections to wider culture and daily life that counters consequences of terminal illness, such as isolation. Creating connections to life was depicted as the core category, carried out in reference to three subcategories: (1) a generous receptive environment identified as the foundation for engaging in creative activity; (2) unfolding creations-an evolving process; (3) reaching beyond for possible meaning horizons. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that the domain of creative activity can enable the creation of connections to daily life and enlarge the experience of self as an active person, in the face of uncertain life-threatening illness. Ultimately, the features that participants specify can be used to refine and substantiate the use of creative activities in intervention and general healthcare.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Occupational adaptation: the experiences of older persons with physical disabilities.

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the experiences of occupational adaptation among a small number of older Dutch persons with physical disabilities. Occupational adaptation was tentatively defined as overcoming disabling influences on occupational functioning. Eight occupational therapy clients, who were living in the community, were interviewed using an open in-depth interview format. A phenomenological analysis resulted in descriptions of occupational adaptation as a process that required these clients' active engagement. The clients recruited already familiar problem-solving strategies and personal resources as well as resources in their social and physical environments to identify prospects of potential solutions and to create solutions to overcome constraints on occupational functioning. Furthermore, participants strived for finding satisfaction through occupations, a meaning theme which emerged as the object of occupational adaptation. Satisfaction through occupations was found in maintaining daily routines and engaging in fulfilling occupations.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Performing bimanual activities: the experiences of young persons with hemiplegic cerebral palsy.

This qualitative research study was designed to explore and describe the process of planning and performing bimanual activities in young persons with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Interviews with 10 persons individually and four persons in a focus group provided rich information about their reasoning when confronting problems as well as insight into how they view their situations. The data were analyzed using a comparative method. The findings show that the participants had to make conscious choices about what would be the most effective strategies to use for carrying out activities. The choices involved weighing different options to find the least negative alternative. Even when able to find alternative strategies for performing the activity, the participants were often dissatisfied with negative consequences related to the strategy. Examples of such negative consequences could be, for example, that they would have to accept a need for extra time, planning, or concentration, to perform desired activities. When selecting a strategy it was thus favorable to have a repertoire of strategies from which to choose. In conclusion, the planning and performing of bimanual activities turned out to be a complex process influenced by a range of factors both internal and external to the person.

Adaptation, Psychological↗