Losses related to everyday occupations for adults affected by mental illness

Abstract

Objective: This paper presents findings from a larger study that explored losses from mental illness. Losses associated with occupations--a key theme from this participatory action research study--are the focus of this paper.

Methods: Semi-structured in-depth interviews were carried out with 16 people who had been diagnosed with a mental illness and attended a community mental health centre. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed, guided by processes proposed by Dey.

Results: Numerous losses influenced participants' ability to initiate or engage in daily occupations. Some losses perpetuated further loss, at times with profound consequences, such as the loss of a house following a loss of work. Engaging in chosen occupations was often described as a longer-term goal or something participants did infrequently, due to losses such as motivation, energy, or normal sleeping patterns. The desire to work and participate in everyday occupations was emphasized and its benefits highlighted, despite previous difficulties.

Conclusions: Implications for occupational therapists include the importance of exploring, validating, and responding to losses when these are shared, and being aware of and striving to support people experiencing losses in the areas of work, motivation, sleep patterns, and energy, which were perceived as especially challenging for participants in this study.

Keywords: activities of daily living; grief; leisure activities; mental health; occupational therapy; work.