Open AccessPromoting autonomy of the client with persistent mental illness: A challenge for occupational therapists from The Netherlands, Germany and Belgium
Author(s) -
Le Granse Mieke,
Kinébanian Astrid,
Josephsson Staffan
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
occupational therapy international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.414
H-Index - 37
eISSN - 1557-0703
pISSN - 0966-7903
DOI - 10.1002/oti.208
Subject(s) - autonomy , psychosocial , occupational therapy , mental health , psychology , mental illness , psychotherapist , clinical psychology , nursing , medicine , psychiatry , political science , law
Abstract 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. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.