An exploratory study of the rehabilitation process of people with stress-related disorders

Abstract

The aim was to describe how former clients with stress-related disorders and rehabilitation team members experience the rehabilitation process, and to describe how experiences from the rehabilitation have been integrated into the former clients' everyday lives. A qualitative grounded theory approach was used. The sample consisted of seven team members working at a vocational rehabilitation clinic and eight former clients who were interviewed. The participants were involved in four different rehabilitation programmes, all of which used cognitive approaches. In addition, two of the programmes offered activities in a therapeutic garden. The result highlighted experiences that might have contributed to changes in the former clients' self-image, development of conscious strategies for handling stressful situations, and changes in values attached to everyday occupations. In addition, two different modes of integrating experiences from rehabilitation into the former clients' everyday lives were identified: changing approaches to handling stressful situations in everyday life and changing occupational repertoire in everyday life. Important implications might be that activities which promote relaxation and enjoyment should be included in the rehabilitation of people with stress-related disorders since experiences from these activities seemed to facilitate occupational balance in everyday life.