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Occupational performance modification and personal change among clients receiving rehabilitation services for rheumatoid arthritis
Author(s) -
Dubouloz ClaireJehanne,
Vallerand Josée,
Laporte Diane,
Ashe Brenda,
Hall Martha
Publication year - 2008
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/j.1440-1630.2006.00639.x
Subject(s) - occupational therapy , psychological intervention , transformative learning , rehabilitation , feeling , rheumatoid arthritis , meaning (existential) , grounded theory , qualitative research , medicine , quality of life (healthcare) , personal development , physical therapy , psychology , clinical psychology , psychotherapist , nursing , developmental psychology , social psychology , social science , sociology
Background: A client's personal process of change is recognised as an important element in the rehabilitation process that may affect the acceptance and outcome of recommended occupational therapy self‐management interventions. Recent research has examined the transformative process of changing underlying values, beliefs, feelings and knowledge, collectively known as meaning perspectives, in clients receiving rehabilitation for various chronic conditions.Aim/methods: This article presents the findings of a Grounded Theory Qualitative retrospective study of 10 adults diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis receiving occupational therapy to modify their daily living environment and activities to maximise the quality of life and occupational performance. They were interviewed twice in a semidirected manner.Results: Two personal change processes were identified for two different courses of the illness: progressive adaptation during a course of gradual steady development of symptoms without remission, and complex adaptation that led to transformation during a course of acute development of symptoms with periods of remission.Conclusion: Implications for more effective and efficient occupational therapy interventions are suggested.