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A qualitative study of service user experiences of occupation in forensic mental health
Author(s) -
Craik Christine,
Bryant Wendy,
Ryan Amanda,
Barclay Samantha,
Brooke Nicole,
Mason Adele,
Russell Peter
Publication year - 2010
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.1440-1630.2010.00857.x
Subject(s) - mental health , qualitative research , focus group , promotion (chess) , psychology , occupational therapy , service (business) , mental health service , applied psychology , nursing , medical education , medicine , psychiatry , sociology , political science , business , social science , marketing , politics , anthropology , law
Background/aim: This qualitative study explored occupational engagement of those detained in forensic units. Legal and institutional restrictions on occupation have implications for their health and wellbeing.Method: Twenty‐six current forensic mental health service users participated in five focus groups, which were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim and subjected to constant comparative analysis.Findings: The participants highlighted previous occupations, current occupations and hopes. Key aspects were control over decision‐making, motivation and support, generating suggestions alongside positive experiences of occupational therapy.Conclusions: Institutional barriers could be overcome with a dynamic balance between risk management and mental health promotion through occupation. This demands a sustained focus on occupation for everyone involved in providing care and treatment in these settings.