bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Everyday Routines, Human Agency, and Ecocultural Context: Construction and Maintenance of Individual Habits
Authors: Gallimore Ronald , Lopez Edward M.
Published: December 2014

Daily routines and many habitual behaviors embedded in them are a compromise between what is desirable and what is practical, given the surrounding environment. What people believe their routines ought to be also plays a role—culture defines what is an ideal routine. Like other cultural matters, many features of daily routines are taken for granted and transparent, like the proverbial fish that does not notice the water. Occupational therapists and other professionals can enhance their work by examining their clients' routines, the ecological and cultural factors that shape those routines, and the accommodations their clients already are making to meet adaptive challenges.
Habitus and Health Lifestyle Two Years after Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Thibodaux Louise R.
Published: December 2014

The study summarized in this report analyzed data from the Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems to explore the importance of seven occupational roles in life satisfaction and health. The study confirmed that sociology of health lifestyles is a useful framework for explaining the link between activity, participation, and health.
Central Processing and Habits in Older Adults
Authors: Ellis R. Darin
Published: December 2014

Work in progress is investigating the role of age-related declines in cognitive abilities (such as memory and reasoning) in the acquisition of new habit-level attention skills. The model that serves as a framework for the project predicts that reductions in the central processing capacity of older adults will be associated with an inability to develop new automatic habits. Preliminary data fit the model.
Teaching Grocery Shopping Skills to People with Schizophrenia
Authors: Brown Catana , Rempfer Melisa , Hamera Edna
Published: December 2014

A pilot study was conducted to determine if a grocery shopping intervention improved skills in people with schizophrenia. The intervention was designed to compensate for cognitive impairments by providing strategies that organize and simplify the task and the environment. Thirty-eight people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder completed at least six of the nine sessions of the intervention. A pretest/posttest comparison indicated that participants improved in accuracy and redundancy but not in time. The results support the efficacy of the intervention. Future research will include cognitive predictors of skill acquisition, comparisons with a control group, and an extension of the outcome measures.
Consistency of Family Routines over Time in Families with Children with Disabilities
Authors: Crowe Terry K.
Published: December 2014

The study summarized in this report examined the stability in 30 family routines practiced by families with children with disabilities. Forty-one mothers with children with disabilities participated. The results indicated that participants' routines and the value that they placed on the routines changed over time.
Social Roles and Subjective Well-Being in a Population of Nondisabled Older People
Authors: Gillard Marian , Segal Mary E.
Published: December 2014

Social roles were measured in two ways to determine whether they were related to subjective well-being. Results showed that when social roles were weighted by their subjective value, they were moderately correlated with life satisfaction.
Perceived Experiences of Well Senior Women Engaged in Occupational Life Style Redesign
Authors: Lipschutz Elysa G.
Published: December 2014

The qualitative study summarized in this article explored the perceived experiences of six well older women engaged in occupational lifestyle redesign. Demographic trends warrant continued exploration of interventions intended to maximize the well-being of older adults. The results of the study help explain how occupational lifestyle redesign enabled participants to explore their occupational habits, experience occupational options, and establish a plan to influence their physical, mental, and social well-being through occupation.
Making a Habit of Making Habit Happen
Authors: Macdonald Karen Crane
Published: December 2014

Participants in a qualitative research study about adaptation to physical disability described the difficult process of reconstructing former habits and developing new habits. The five women, aged 50–60, discovered that ability for activity was connected to design and application of adaptive habits. Steps of habit formation and influences on intentional habits were identified. Occupational integration evolved through practice, repetition, and reinforcement of patterned performance. Participants stressed the need for health care professionals to recognize the importance of habit structures and the ways in which they continue to change over time.
Habits in Context: A Synthesis, with Implications for Research in Occupational Science
Authors: Yerxa Elizabeth J.
Published: December 2014

Habits, rather than being mundane or trivial, are significant learned behaviors embedded in an ecocultural context (of time, place, and society) with which they engage in a dialectical relationship. Habits enable or frustrate adaptation to environmental challenges. In a positive mode, habits relate to personal meaning, identity, competence, satisfaction, and self-expression. The study of habits requires adoption of an ethical, scholarly, and holistic approach. Occupational science needs to continue its investigation and synthesis of interdisciplinary knowledge about habits, including identification of the environmental conditions that further occupation; the “affordances” (environmental potentials for action) that provide occupational resources; the habit patterns that contribute to health, and to identification and reclamation of people's strengths, capabilities, and interests; the process of learning of new habits; reconstruction of the self through habit change; and the relationship of engagement in occupation to being in place in one's ecoculture. Such study may require that occupational scientists critically assess their epistemological assumptions and research approaches.
Quality of Life for Individuals with Schizophrenia: Validating an Assessment That Addresses Client Concerns and Occupational Issues
Authors: Laliberte-Rudman Deborah , Hoffman Lisa , Scott Elizabeth , Renwick Rebecca
Published: December 2014

This article describes the initial validation study of the Quality of Life Measure for Persons With Schizophrenia (QOLM-S). This new assessment is grounded in a holistic conceptual framework, addresses occupational issues, and was developed on the basis of qualitative data collected from individuals with schizophrenia. Data were collected from 91 individuals with schizophrenia to examine aspects of reliability and validity. Results support both the internal consistency of the QOLM-S, with a Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient of 0.97 for the overall scale, and concurrent validity. Correlations between the domain and total scores of the QOLM-S provide initial support for construct validity. This study supports the use of the QOLM-S as a descriptive tool. Future research to enhance the clinical utility and further examine the psychometric properties of the QOLM-S are suggested.
Activity Participation and Well-Being of People with Dementia in Long-Term—Care Settings
Authors: Chung Jenny C. C.
Published: December 2014

This study examines the activities engaged in by nursing home residents with dementia and their states of well-being. Dementia Care Mapping was used to record the activities engaged in by, and the well-being of, 43 participants during a 6-hour period. The average age of the group was 81 years and length of stay at the nursing home was 27 months. Fourteen percent of participants had received a Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) score of 1 (mild level of cognitive impairment), 35% had a CDR score of 2 (moderate impairment), and 51% had a CDR score of 3 (severe impairment). Results indicated that the three CDR groups engaged differently in activities. The CDR1 group participated significantly more in therapeutic/leisure activities and activities of daily living than did the CDR2 group ( p < .001 and p < .05) and CDR3 group ( p < .001). Conversely, the CDR3 group engaged in significantly more passive activities than did the CDR1 group ( p < .001), and had fewer social interactions and displayed more negative behavior than the other two groups ( p < .05). Moreover, their well-being was significantly worse than that of the other two groups (p < .001). A majority of participants (82%) demonstrated poor to very poor well-being. Because better well-being was associated with positive and enjoyable engagement in activities (τ = +0.67, p < .001), the low level of activity participation demonstrated by low-functioning individuals with dementia needs to be addressed. Moreover, further studies are indicated to explore the possible factors influencing their limited activity participation.
The Nature of Occupation Surrounding Dying and Death
Authors: Jacques Noralyn Davel , Hasselkus Betty Risteen
Published: December 2014

This article presents the findings from a study intended to help occupational therapists better understand the meaning of occupation surrounding dying and death at a small residential hospice in the midwestern United States. Residents, their families, and hospice staff participated in a 6-month ethnographic study involving participant observation, interviews with staff, a group interview, artifact and document review, and journal keeping by the first author. Four domains of occupation were identified as elements of the dying experience: continuing life, preparation for death, waiting, and death and after-death. In the context of dying, both mundane and unique occupations took on new forms of significance to the residents, families, and caregivers. These findings contribute to our understanding of the nature and meaning of occupation and how occupation creates the good death.
Mothers of Children with Disabilities: Occupational Concerns and Solutions
Authors: McGuire Brianna K. , Crowe Terry K. , Law Mary , VanLeit Betsy
Published: December 2014

Mothers of children with disabilities have identified multiple challenges associated with achieving occupational balance in their lives. Occupational therapists are just beginning to explore the occupational and time use strategies that mothers use to successfully care for their children and get through the day in a positive manner. The Person—Environment—Occupation model was used to guide an occupational therapy intervention program called “Project Bien Estar,” which was designed to increase the satisfaction, time use, and occupational performance of mothers of school-aged children with disabilities. This article focuses on the rich content of the group discussions and individual reflections, providing insight into the world of women caring for children with disabilities. Thematic analysis was used to identify person, environment, and occupation factors that contribute positively and negatively to the mothers' well-being, and the effects of the occupational therapy intervention are discussed.
A Measure of Perceptions of Generalized Self-Efficacy Adapted for Adolescents
Authors: Passmore Anne
Published: December 2014

The primary domain of concern for occupational therapy is a knowledge base that supports an understanding of the range of influences impacting the activity participation of individuals. Self-efficacy beliefs are reported to underpin a person's capacity to initiate behaviors and produce performance outcomes. The purpose of this study was to test a measure of self-efficacy against which occupational performance outcomes may be predicted in adolescents. This study examined the extension of a generalized measure of self-efficacy, the Perceived Self-Efficacy (PSE) scale, for use with adolescents. Psychometric properties of the PSE scale were tested in a sample of 850 adolescents aged 12 to 18 years. The PSE scale exhibited adequate reliability and validity consistent with past research and theory. A one-way analysis of variance produced significant differences in responses by age, demonstrating support for perceived self-efficacy as a developing self-construct during the early transition adolescent years. The use of the PSE scale within the occupational therapy context is highlighted.
Everyday Problem Solving among Four Groups of Individuals with Cognitive Impairments: Examination of the Discriminant Validity of the Observed Tasks of Daily Living—Revised
Authors: Goverover Yael , Josman Naomi
Published: December 2014

To examine the discriminant validity of the Observed Tasks of Daily Living—Revised (OTDL-R) assessment test, performance was compared across four groups of participants (N = 140) expected to have different problem-solving skills and everyday competencies (community-dwelling older adults, older adults living in nursing homes or assisted living facilities, individuals with schizophrenia, and individuals with brain injuries). Analysis of variance with covariates (age and education) was used to examine differences in total OTDL-R scores across the four groups. OTDL-R performance was significantly better for community-dwelling older adults and significantly worse for participants with schizophrenia than for all other groups. No statistically significant differences were found for older adults living in nursing homes or assisted living facilities or participants with brain injuries after controlling for age and education. The OTDL-R was found to be a sensitive performance-based assessment tool of potential importance for occupational therapists in assessing instrumental activities of daily living and problem-solving skills. Additional research is needed to more fully characterize the psychometric value of the OTDL-R for appropriate use by clinicians and researchers.
The Effect of Training Older Adults with Stroke to Use Home-Based Assistive Devices
Authors: Chiu Cindy W. Y. , Man David W. K.
Published: December 2014

This study evaluated whether an additional home training program on bathing devices would improve the rate of use, personal independence, and service satisfaction of older adults who had experienced strokes. A prospective pretest and posttest randomized control trial design was adopted. Fifty-three older adults who had experienced strokes were randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group. The prescription of and training in the use of devices was conducted with both groups while they were in the hospital. The intervention group received additional home-based intervention in the use of devices immediately after discharge, but the control group did not. All of the subjects were assessed before discharge and 3 months after discharge using the Functional Independence Measure and the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology. The results showed that the intervention group improved significantly in functioning ( t = 3.89; df = 51; P = .01) and satisfaction ( t = 69.8; df = 29; P = .01) after intervention. The rate of use of bathing devices was relatively higher in the intervention group (96.7%) than in the control group (56.5%). Further studies with extended follow-up services are needed to evaluate the long-term effects of training in the use of assistive devices.
Treatment Preferences of Injured College Student Musicians
Authors: Guptill Christine , Zaza Christine , Paul Stanley
Published: December 2014

College student musicians face particular challenges in their occupation. However, few studies have been conducted with this population that identify students' needs and desires regarding potential treatment of physical playing-related injuries. This article addresses the results of an open-ended question posed in a survey of college music students at a large midwestern university. Students were asked, “What would you want from a health professional who might treat you for musicians' injuries?” This study found that college student musicians want to be active participants in the treatment process, and have concerns about upper extremity and back problems. Students feel that an understanding of their occupation is important for effective treatment, and identify themselves as a group with specialized treatment needs. Occupational therapists are prepared to address these concerns at entry-level; however, this and other health-care professions could also serve this population through specialization in treating musicians' injuries.
Toward a Better Understanding of Playfulness in Adults
Authors: Guitard Paulette , Ferland Francine , Dutil Élisabeth
Published: December 2014

Playfulness is normally associated with children and remains poorly documented in adulthood. Studies have confirmed that playfulness is present in adulthood but do not provide any information on its specific nature. An enhanced comprehension of playfulness in adulthood is needed to determine its possible use in occupational therapy intervention with an adult clientele. A qualitative study led to a conceptual definition of playfulness in adulthood. Playfulness can be defined as an internal predisposition characterized by creativity, curiosity, pleasure, sense of humor, and spontaneity. This attitude extends to all life situations and modifies how adults perceive, evaluate, and approach situations. Playfulness enables adults to distance themselves from others, from situations, and from conventions to approach situations with an open mind to find original solutions to problems, to confront difficulties, and to accept failure. Therefore, it may be an important tool in occupational therapy to develop and enhance adults' ability to perform occupations.
The Construction of Keyforms for Obtaining Instantaneous Measures from the Occupational Performance History Interview Rating Scales
Authors: Kielhofner Gary , Dobria Lidia , Forsyth Kirsty , Basu Semonti
Published: December 2014

Occupational therapists routinely use rating scales to indicate a client's level of functioning, monitor progress, and evaluate intervention success. Rating scales yield ordinal data, whereas true measurement requires interval level data. Rasch analysis can convert rating scale data into true interval measures, but the use of measures derived from this method is limited in everyday occupational therapy practice because raw data must be computer scored. The keyform is an alternative to computer scoring. It is a paper-and-pencil form with which the therapist can record and convert ratings to interval measures while exercising intuitive quality control of the data. This article illustrates the application of this methodology to the Occupational Performance History Interview-2nd Version (OPHI-II). The authors discuss the OPHI-II scales, describe the methodology for developing the keyforms, and demonstrate how they are used.
Computer Accessibility Issues for Older Adults with Disabilities: A Pilot Study
Authors: Marchant Tanya D. , Tiernan Tina Marie , Mann William C.
Published: December 2014

The number of adults older than 65 years is expected to increase dramatically during the next 30 years. Older adults have been described as one of the fastest growing groups of computer users, and have been shown to uniquely benefit from computer use. Given their increased susceptibility toward disabling conditions and age-related decline, older adults often face challenges regarding computer use and accessibility. The purpose of this pilot study was to explore computer use and accessibility issues of older adults with disabilities, focusing on relationships between workstation, performance, satisfaction, and self-reported pain. A sample of 32 older adults with disabilities who owned and used a personal computer were interviewed in their homes and observed during performance of a familiar computer task. Their computer workstations were also assessed for adherence to ergonomic principles. Satisfaction with their computer ability was found to be positively correlated with workstation design, their perception of the importance of a computer, duration of use per week, and participants' perception of performance. No significant differences were found between older adults who did and did not report pain associated with computer use. Results suggest that older adults with disabilities are using computers for many tasks, consider their computers important, perceive their performance as relatively good, and are generally satisfied with their ability to use their computer. There is a need for further research examining the correlates of older adults' satisfaction with their ability to use their computer.
Phenomenological Research: An Exploration of Conceptual, Theoretical, and Practical Issues
Authors: Wilding Clare , Whiteford Gail
Published: December 2014

Phenomenological research has become increasingly popular in occupational therapy in recent years. However, phenomenological inquiry is one of the most philosophically and theoretically complex research traditions, many aspects of which remain poorly understood. This article is intended for individuals either interested in or about to conduct phenomenological research. It examines the conceptual foundations of phenomenology, particularly Heideggerian phenomenology, including an exploration of the concept of Being. A case example of how these concepts can be developed within an occupationally focused research project is presented. The article concludes with reflections on the value of phenomenological research in understanding complex, situated phenomena of interest to occupational therapists.
A Practice Analysis of Occupational Therapy and Impact on Certification Examination
Authors: Bent Margaret A. , Crist Patricia A. , Florey Linda , Strickland L. Randy
Published: December 2014

In 2003, the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. (NBCOT®) conducted a practice analysis study of entry-level occupational therapy practice in the United States. Domains and tasks performed by the OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST REGISTERED (OTR®) or CERTIFIED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT (COTA®) practitioner and the knowledge required to perform them were identified and validated via a large-scale survey of practice. Professional background and demographics of OTR and COTA respondents were reviewed and determined to be representative of practice, providing a basis for generalizability of results from the sample to the population of entry-level certified occupational therapy practitioners in the United States. The main findings were summarized to reflect what is happening in current practice for individuals who have recently obtained the OTR and COTA certification. Critical and frequently performed tasks were identified, as was critical and frequently used knowledge. The validated tasks and knowledge statements serve as the basis for item classification activities related to the OTR and COTA examinations. The revised blueprint specifications were used to guide examination construction for the NBCOT OTR or COTA examinations beginning in 2005.
The Effect of Constraint-Induced Movement Treatment on Occupational Performance and Satisfaction in Stroke Survivors
Authors: Flinn Nancy A. , Schamburg Sue , Fetrow Jill Murray , Flanigan Jennifer
Published: December 2014

Stroke is a leading cause of disability and impaired arm function is a common consequence. Constraint-induced movement treatment is a technique used to increase weak arm use and to decrease motor deficits resulting from stroke. Eleven stroke survivors participated in a constraint-induced movement treatment protocol of 3 ½ hours of treatment per day for 8 days. Participants experienced significantly increased use of the weak arm in daily activities, which was measured by the Motor Activity Log, and a trend toward improved coordination in the weak arm, which was measured by the Wolf Motor Function Test. Participants did not report significant improvements in average performance or satisfaction in self-identified occupational performance problems. When these problems were analyzed individually, no significant differences were seen immediately post-treatment. However, significant improvements were seen for satisfaction at 4 to 6 months post-treatment. The occupational performance problems identified by the participants were equally divided between problems related to hand use and problems not related to hand use. Approximately half of the non-hand use problems involved endurance. Although participants in this study did make improvements in arm use and coordination, they did not identify improvements in average occupational performance or satisfaction as an outcome of constraint-induced movement treatment.
Consistency of Handwriting Performance across the Early Elementary Grades
Authors: Marr Deborah
Published: December 2014

The purpose of this study was to examine the consistency of handwriting performance in typically developing children from kindergarten to third grade. Eighty-nine children participated. The relationship between kindergarten handwriting performance and third grade handwriting performance was r = .18. Analysis of individual data revealed that 14% of the low-performing students (n = 2) remained consistent in their performance from kindergarten to third grade. The relationship between kindergarten and third grade handwriting provides initial evidence that consistency in low handwriting performance among typically developing children does not exist. Early identification of children with low handwriting performance continues to be recommended. Monitoring the handwriting performance of all children over time and providing remediation as needed may be the more strategic path to follow.
Barriers to the Use of Traditional Telephones by Older Adults with Chronic Health Conditions
Authors: Mann William C. , Belchior Patrícia , Tomita Machiko R. , Kemp Bryan J.
Published: December 2014

As people age, they face motor, sensory, and cognitive decline that may compromise their performance of activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living. Telephone use is an important instrumental activity of daily living for older adults, but many have difficulty in making and receiving calls. Today, there are many features that can be added to the telephone that can help compensate for impairments, but often these features are not used. To better understand the problems of older adults in using their telephones, we surveyed 609 older adults living in the community who had chronic health conditions. Interviews were conducted face-to-face, by telephone, or by mail. The most common reasons for not using more telephone special features were cost, lack of perceived need, and lack of knowledge of the features. Occupational therapists who work with older adults must understand the importance of telephones in their lives and offer them information and assistance in finding telephones with features that match their special needs. The findings of this study suggest that a significant number of older adults with chronic health conditions are unaware of low-cost, feature-laden telephones that could make their communications easier or, for some, possible.
Epistemological Transformation in Occupational Therapy: Educational Implications and Challenges
Authors: Hooper Barbara
Published: December 2014

An epistemological analysis of occupational therapy's history opens a novel perspective on the field's evolution and on important changes facing education and practice. Kegan's theory of epistemological transformation (e.g., how ways of knowing evolve) was used as an analytic tool to reexamine mostly secondary and some primary historical sources. Although the profession's history is often portrayed in terms of large and sweeping changes, this analysis suggests that little change occurred in occupational therapy's epistemology, making it difficult for the profession to become self-defined or easily adopt occupation, participation, and health as a focus for practice, education, and research. It is also suggested that recent developments in the field are at their core epistemological developments and serve as indicators that a new way of knowing has emerged in occupational therapy that is making new demands of practitioners and educators. Further, epistemological developments can help evaluate common educational assumptions and frame new educational approaches.
Challenge-Skills and Mindfulness: An Exploration of the Conundrum of Flow Process
Authors: Wright Jonathan J. , Sadlo Gaynor , Stew Graham
Published: December 2014

The process of flow, a psychological state that seems to occur during optimal human experience, is currently unclear. This exploratory study examines how flow begins and what happens during and after a flow experience. A phenomenological approach was taken to examine the flow experiences of an artist, a musician, and a horticulturist. Participants kept journals and participated in semi-structured interviews. The results suggest that two phenomena, “challenge-skills” and “mindfulness,” were identified as being “flow” experiences. Challenge-skills and mindfulness had some common features. Both involved living in the present moment, not worrying, and performing activities because they were intrinsically rewarding. They were distinctly different experiences in regard to the effort involved, the perception of time, and the consequences of the experience. Understanding the process of challenge-skills and mindfulness may have implications for our understanding of the relationship between occupation, consciousness, and health and for occupational therapy practice.
Favorite Activity Interview as a Window into the Identity of People with Parkinson's Disease
Authors: DeGroat Emily J. , Lyons Kathleen Doyle , Tickle-Degnen Linda
Published: December 2014

The purpose of this study was to document the degree to which a brief segment of an occupational therapy interview about favorite activities served as a window into personal identity and experience in clients with Parkinson's disease. Two-minute segments of videotaped interviews of 12 participants with Parkinson's disease were transcribed and analyzed. A verbal content measure was developed, its reliability tested, and its items correlated with participants' self-rated personality and mood. Overall, the inter-rater reliability for this verbal content measure was acceptably high, and many expected associations between participant verbal content and participant identity as related to personality and mood were found. The results tentatively suggest that the client's discussion of favorite activity participation, as well as the tone and frequency of the client's verbal communication, can provide insight into the identity of the client, and this information is available to the practitioner even for clients who have difficulty expressing their identities nonverbally. This exploratory study establishes a foundation for further research in the area of identity expression through verbal content in individuals with diminished nonverbal expressiveness.
Caregiving and Autism: How Does Children's Propensity for Routinization Influence Participation in Family Activities?
Authors: Larson Elizabeth
Published: December 2014

Children with autism characteristically prefer routinization, yet their mothers seem to experience greater parenting stress orchestrating family life than mothers parenting children with other disabilities. This qualitative study examined the development and use of routines for nine mothers parenting children with autism spectrum diagnoses. Interview transcripts were coded by sorting data into categories and searching for variations within the category and the relationships between categories. Findings describe: (1) development of routines, (2) child's comfort or discontent in routines, (3) child's fluctuations in participation in routines, (4) effects of irregular routines on participation, (5) maternal strategies to manage irregular routines, (6) mothers' selective modification of routines, and (7) alterations in family activities and rituals. The implications of these findings for practice are discussed.
The Importance of Electronic Diary Studies for Occupational Therapy Research
Authors: Holsti Liisa , Barr Ronald G.
Published: December 2014

Diary research methods are being used to assess many health-related conditions in both adult and pediatric populations. However, electronic diary data collection, ecological momentary assessment techniques, and multilevel statistical modeling are little used methodologies in occupational therapy research. It is important to add these methodologies to occupational therapy research; they offer prospective, flexible, and timely methods of evaluating the effects of conditions and diseases on occupational performance in many populations and across a variety of settings.
Elders' and Family Caregivers' Experience of Place at an Assisted Living Center
Authors: Cruz Elicia Dunn
Published: December 2014

This study was designed to explore elders' and their family caregivers' collective experience of place within an assisted living center. Using an ethnographic approach, data were collected through participant observation, interviews, and focus groups. This study found key features of the assisted living center that most influenced residents' and family caregivers' phenomenological experience of place. These features included the characteristics, experiences, and meanings that participants attributed to the assisted living center's structure, physical nature, sociocultural nature, and temporal-occupational nature. In this place, occupational forms stood out as important, naturally occurring features of place that, over time, helped characterize the place's temporal-occupational nature. Occupational performance pointed to people's experience of that place.
A Comparison of Time Use between Mothers of Children with and without Disabilities
Authors: Gevir Deborah , Goldstand Sarina , Weintraub Naomi , Parush Shula
Published: December 2014

This study compared time use, perceptions regarding the meaningfulness and enjoyment of occupations, and perceptions of ability to balance time use between mothers of children with mental retardation ( n = 29), motor difficulties ( n = 30), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder ( n = 30), and typical development ( n = 31). No significant differences were found between groups in the amount of time spent in various occupations (i.e., activities with their children, home maintenance, leisure, rest and sleep, and work), in their perceptions of meaningfulness and enjoyment of the occupations performed, or in their perceived ability to balance time use. However, mothers who were frequently helped by external caregivers reported significantly more enjoyment from “activities with their children” and “home maintenance,” and significantly less meaning from “rest and sleep” than those who did not. Moreover, mothers who reported that they received frequent help derived more satisfaction from their ability to balance time. These results highlight the importance of mothers' receiving assistance to how they perceive their daily occupations and their ability to balance time, factors that positively affect maternal and family well-being.
Factor Analysis and Construct Validity of the SAFER-HOME
Authors: Chiu Teresa , Oliver Rosemary
Published: December 2014

This article describes the development, factor analysis, reliability, and validity of the Safety Assessment of Function and the Environment for Rehabilitation-Health Outcome Measurement and Evaluation (SAFER-HOME). A pilot test of 104 pretest—posttest observations showed that occupational therapists perceived the SAFER-HOME as clinically useful, practical to administer, and sensitive in detecting changes. Using a factor analysis of 1,173 observations, a 10-factor structure SAFER-HOME v.2 was developed. The 93-item SAFER-HOME had an internal consistency coefficient alpha value of 0.86. The low correlations between the SAFER-HOME v.2 and the Functional Autonomy Measuring System ( r = −0.206; p = .018) supported the presumption that home safety was related but not limited to functioning. There is some evidence supporting the SAFER-HOME v.2 as a valid and reliable instrument. The SAFER-HOME v.2 represents a carefully constructed, theoretically driven, and clinically sound outcome measure for use by occupational therapists to assess home safety.
Assessment of Playfulness in Children with Autistic Disorder: A Comparison of the Children's Playfulness Scale and the Test of Playfulness
Authors: Muys Varnia , Rodger Sylvia , Bundy Anita C.
Published: December 2014

This study investigated the Children's Playfulness Scale (CPS) and the Test of Playfulness (ToP) in assessing children with autistic disorder. Twenty-four children aged 41 to 86 months were assessed on the CPS by a parent and on the CPS and the ToP by occupational therapists who rated two 15-minute unstructured and structured play sessions. Analysis of the data revealed correlations between the CPS parent and therapist ratings and the CPS and ToP scores for observed play sessions. A statistically significant difference ( F = 79.263; p = .01) between parent CPS ratings and therapist CPS ratings was found in the unstructured play session. Correlation coefficients revealed a strong, positive correlation between therapist-rated ToP and CPS assessments (unstructured play, r = .814, p < .05; structured play, r = .799, p < .05). Regarding therapist ratings of playfulness, the CPS and the ToP appear to assess a similar phenomenon and are clinically useful for children with autistic disorder.
Community Participation and Life Satisfaction following Intensive, Community-Based Rehabilitation Using a Life Skills Training Approach
Authors: Wheeler Steven D. , Lane Shelly J. , McMahon Brian T.
Published: December 2014

This pilot study examined the effect of an intensive, community-based life skills training program on community integration and life satisfaction among individuals with traumatic brain injuries. Statistically significant improvements were found for subjects receiving intensive life skills training ( n = 18) on two of three Community Integration Questionnaire subscales at the follow-up evaluation, whereas no changes were found for a group of community-dwelling, demographically matched control subjects ( n = 18). No significant differences were found within or between groups on life satisfaction scores. However, pretreatment differences were present between groups on both community integration and life satisfaction. Findings of this study support community-based life skills training as a means to increase independence in home management and participation in productive activities for individuals with severe traumatic brain injuries.
Validity of the Chinese Version of the Allen Cognitive Level Screen Assessment for Individuals with Schizophrenia
Authors: Leung Siu Bong , Man David W. K.
Published: December 2014

The purpose of this study was to examine the concurrent, construct validity (using the known groups method) and ecological validity of the Chinese version of the Allen Cognitive Level Screen Assessment (CACLS). Sixty-one individuals with schizophrenia and 61 control subjects were recruited to undergo the CACLS and the Chinese versions of the Mini-Mental State Examination (CMMSE) and Functional Needs Assessment (CFNA), respectively. The results suggested that the concurrent validity had initially been established because the CACLS score correlated moderately with the CMMSE scores (γ = 0.61; p < .01) and was highly correlated with the CFNA scores (γ = 0.71; p < .01). Based on the results of the Mann—Whitney U test ( Z = −8.679; p < .001) and the analysis of covariance ( F = 40.7; p < .001) to control possible confounding variables, the construct validity of the CACLS had initially been demonstrated. Suggestions for future studies of the CACLS are also made.
Temperament, Character, and Self-Esteem in Relation to Occupational Performance in Individuals with Schizophrenia
Authors: Eklund Mona , Bejerholm Ulrika
Published: December 2014

Occupational therapy researchers have tried to clarify the links between occupation and state-like characteristics, such as people's experienced health, disability, and quality of life. However, to fully examine the spectrum of potential influences on occupation, trait-like features should also be investigated. This study focused on personality and self-related factors, in terms of temperament, character, and self-esteem, and how these influenced certain facets of daily occupation (activity level, occupational engagement, and satisfaction with daily occupations) in 72 adults with schizophrenia. Trait properties were associated with different facets of daily occupation. Self-esteem and the temperament dimension “persistence” explained most of the variance in both activity level and occupational engagement, whereas the character dimension “self-directedness” accounted for most of the variance in satisfaction with daily occupations. Thus, both the character and self aspects, regarded as influenced by social learning and developing over time, and the temperament dimensions, regarded as innate traits that are stable over time, exhibited such relationships. The findings highlight the role of people's trait-like properties in relation to their capacity for occupational performance, an area that has been addressed in theoretical discussions but needs to be further explored in empirical studies. If the findings of this study can be replicated in future studies, the effect of personality on occupational performance should be carefully considered in occupational therapy practice.
Optimizing Environments for Consumer Participation and Self-Direction in Finding Employment
Authors: Shaw Lynn , McWilliam Carol , Sumsion Thelma , MacKinnon Joyce
Published: December 2014

Health and rehabilitation providers are adopting empowering approaches to increase consumer involvement in the service process. This practice trend has evolved in response to the emergence and adoption of consumer-driven models in health care. However, the processes of enabling opportunities for consumers to participate as partners in rehabilitation are difficult and complex. The purpose of this study was to develop a theoretical understanding of the strategies, actions, and interactions between consumers and providers that supported consumer involvement in vocational rehabilitation processes. Data from a grounded theory study involving in-depth interviews with a sample of seven consumers and seven providers were analyzed using the constant comparative approach and Glaser's analysis criteria. A conceptual model of how consumer participation is enacted emerged. Consumer and provider interactions focused on optimizing environments to support consumer partnering and self-direction through establishing shared expectations, advancing consumer potential in practice, and persistently pursuing goals in the community. Opportunities to enhance consumer participation in the social context, practice settings, and the community are elaborated.
The Lived Experience of Memory Impairment in Daily Occupation after Acquired Brain Injury
Authors: Erikson Anette , Karlsson Gunnar , Borell Lena , Tham Kerstin
Published: December 2014

The objective of this study was to identify what characterized the lived experience of memory impairment in daily occupations during the first year after acquired brain injury. Four participants were interviewed on four occasions during the year after the brain injury. The data were collected and analyzed using the Empirical Phenomenological Psychological method. The findings revealed four main characteristics that described the individual's experiences during the year of rehabilitation: a chaotic life-world, struggling for coherent doing in new contexts, conscious strategies in new contexts, and achieving new habits. After the brain injury, the life-world changed from a taken-for-granted existence to a chaotic world that was difficult to understand. The routine performance of daily activities and the habit patterns had broken down, so it was mostly the familiar activities that were already integrated in the “habit-body” that enabled coherent doings in everyday life during the year. The findings contribute to an understanding of how to use familiar and meaningful occupations as a therapeutic medium in the rehabilitation of clients with memory impairment following acquired brain injury.
Home as the Locus and Origin for Participation: Experiences among Very Old Swedish People
Authors: Haak Maria , Ivanoff Synneve Dahlin , Fänge Agneta , Sixsmith Judith , Iwarsson Susanne
Published: December 2014

Using a grounded theory perspective, this article focuses on experiences of participation in relation to home among very old people who are living alone. Eight people selected from the larger ENABLE-AGE Project were interviewed. Data analysis identified the core category as “home as the locus and origin for participation” with two main categories (“performance-oriented participation” and “togetherness-oriented participation”). The findings indicate that the home is the origin for participation both out of the home and within the home. However, as older people's health declines, the home becomes the explicit locus for participation. Participation successively changes from taking part in more physically demanding activities out of the home to participation by means of watching others from within the home (i.e., by being a spectator). In appreciating self-defined goals for a meaningful life, thus enabling the experience of participation in very old age (age 80 to 89 years), this study contributes to the knowledge about relationships between participation and home in very old age.
The Deaf: An Exploration of Their Participation in Community Life
Authors: Murray Jillian B. , Klinger Lisa , McKinnon Cathy Chovaz
Published: December 2014

This qualitative study explored the perceptions of seven individuals who defined themselves as culturally Deaf about the nature of their participation in both Deaf and hearing communities. This study was conducted in partnership with a community group that advises a municipal administration about disability rights issues. Semi-structured interviews using a phenomenological approach were completed with the aid of American Sign Language interpreters. Data were analyzed using constant comparisons to determine whether emergent themes fit the Person-Environment-Occupation Model. Feedback about the analysis was sought through a member-checking group of participants and themes were adjusted as needed. Participants reported that the main barrier to participation within both the hearing and the Deaf communities was difficulty with communication. This “great divide” resulted in disadvantages in education, limited access to competitive employment, diminished social opportunities, and fewer financial and service resources. The Person-Environment-Occupation Model proved a useful framework for conceptualizing findings.
The Client-Clinician Assessment Protocol (C-CAP): Evaluation of its Psychometric Properties for Use with People Aging with Disabilities in Need of Home Modifications
Authors: Petersson Ingela , Fisher Anne G. , Hemmingsson Helena , Lilja Margareta
Published: December 2014

The objective of this study was to evaluate aspects of the validity and reliability of the Client-Clinician Assessment Protocol (C-CAP) Part I. C-CAP data for 103 people aging with disabilities in need of home modification services were analyzed using the Rasch rating scale model. The C-CAP Part I consists of a client self-report of ability in daily life tasks comprising three scales (independence, difficulty, and safety). The analysis demonstrated support for internal scale validity, person response validity, and person separation reliability of the C-CAP Part I, although the results differed among the three scales. The results of this study indicated that the C-CAP Part I has psychometric strengths and limitations. The instrument has the potential to be used in the home environment with people who are aging with disabilities. The C-CAP could complement already existing tools that are used to assess functioning in activities of daily living, especially regarding the focus on the clients' self-report of difficulty and safety in daily life at home and in the community.