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Factors that influence the professional resilience of occupational therapists in mental health practice
Author(s) -
Ashby Samantha E.,
Ryan Susan,
Gray Mel,
James Carole
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
australian occupational therapy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.595
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1440-1630
pISSN - 0045-0766
DOI - 10.1111/1440-1630.12012
Subject(s) - occupational therapy , mental health , thematic analysis , workforce , psychological resilience , identity (music) , psychology , professional development , narrative , narrative inquiry , medical education , nursing , medicine , social psychology , psychotherapist , qualitative research , sociology , political science , psychiatry , social science , acoustics , law , linguistics , physics , philosophy
Background/aim Mental health practice can create challenging environments for occupational therapists. This study explores the dynamic processes involved in the development and maintenance of professional resilience of experienced mental health occupational therapy practitioners. It presents the PRIO rity model that summarises the dynamic relationship between professional resilience, professional identity and occupation‐based practice. Methods A narrative inquiry methodology with two phases of interviews was used to collect the data from nine experienced mental health practitioners. Narrative thematic analysis was used to interpret the data. Results Professional resilience was linked to: (i) professional identity which tended to be negatively influenced in contexts dominated by biomedical models and psychological theories; (ii) expectations on occupational therapists to work outside their professional domains and use generic knowledge; and (iii) lack of validation of occupation‐focussed practice. Professional resilience was sustained by strategies that maintained participants' professional identity. These strategies included seeking ‘good’ supervision, establishing support networks and finding a job that allowed a match between valued knowledge and opportunities to use it in practice. Conclusion For occupational therapists professional resilience is sustained and enhanced by a strong professional identity and valuing an occupational perspective of health. Strategies that encourage reflection on the theoretical knowledge underpinning practice can sustain resilience. These include supervision, in‐service meetings and informal socialisation. Further research is required into the role discipline‐specific theories play in sustaining professional values and identity. The development of strategies to enhance occupational therapists' professional resilience may assist in the retention of occupational therapists in the mental health workforce.